Search for Jewish identity in architecture. The Lost House of Polish Hasidim - a project of a Hasidic center in Le?ajsk

The diploma thesis is an attempt to crystallize the identity of Jewish architecture. Designed building through its symbolic and functional dualism expresses the internal complexity of Jewish architecture, while serving as a pilgrimage center for Hasidim from all over the world and as a museum of history and tradition of the Hasidic community in Poland.

The diploma thesis is an attempt to crystallize the identity of Jewish architecture. Architectural identity is an ethereal and fleeting phenomenon that changes over time together with the society that creates it, which is why Jewish architecture is as diverse and difficult to define as the Jewish nation itself.\r\nThe designed building was located in Leżajsk, in the immediate vicinity of the historical Jewish cemetery which is the burial place of Tzaddik Elimelech, who is still one of the most important spiritual leaders for many Hasidim. It is estimated that every year from a few to several thousand pilgrims come to the city during yahrzeit - the anniversary of the tzaddik's death- to submit to him their requests, which as they believe he passes directly to Yahweh.\r\nIn addition, Leżajsk, due to its location in the central part of the Hasidic route, has a chance to become one of the most important places on the map of Poland related to the commemoration of Jewish heritage, recalling its positive image devoid of the stigma of the Holocaust.\r\nThe main assumption of the design was to create a dualistic space that is at the same time a new home for Hasidic pilgrims and a place to commemorate the community that has developed in Poland over the centuries.\r\nThe form of the designed building, which consists of 23 \"houses\", single or combined into small complexes, concentrated around an inner square, was inspired by the buildings of the tzaddikim manors, which in their aesthetics resembled small towns concentrated around an internal common space.\r\nThe adopted architectural solutions are a modern, symbolic interpretation of the Hasidic pilgrimage site, avoiding direct imitation of historical forms. A simple minimalist space, which is a substitute for a lost home, becomes a background for present events and memories of the past.\r\nThe functional and spatial scheme is based on two user paths: the first one is dedicated to Hasidic pilgrims and organized according to restrictive laws derived from the Jewish tradition, while the second, more casual one, is dedicated to museum visitors.