THE GIFT OF REBORN SACRED SPACE
by Daniel Kelley, FAIA
September 2020 - When Temple Tifereth Israel was built, Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver was a powerful man who could fill the sanctuary with his voice. His messages (and those of his son, who succeeded him) still resonate in the memories of the congregants. However, the porous Guastavino tiles that cover the walls and ceiling of the heptagonal, 1,400-seat space are not as well suited for the rich sounds and nuance of instrumental music. Moreover, without a significant intervention (particularly at the inner dome) the acoustical character of the original room could not direct high-quality musical sound from the stage to the audience. A composite design approach was required that coated the tiles with an acrylic polymer for more reflectivity, and added adjustable side wall panels and an acoustical canopy. Read more...
NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION ARTICLE FEATURES GUASTAVINOS
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August 2020 - The summer issue of Preservation Magazine includes, 7 Majestic Guastavino Tile Vaults from Around the Country by Logan Ward. Four of the seven sites are members of the Guastavino Alliance: Boston Public Library, Guastavino’s (an event space below the Queensboro Bridge), Basilica of St. Lawrence, and the Nebraska State Capitol. The article mentions three other Alliance members: Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Grand Central Station Oyster Bar, and Biltmore House. The three other featured sites (Penn Museum, West Side Market in Cleveland, and the Hearst Memorial Mining Building at University of California Berkeley) have all been invited to join the Alliance. Thanks to Mr. Ward for an informative piece.
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July 2020 - If so, please consider designating the Guastavino Museum, Inc. (the 501c3 parent organization of the Guastavino Alliance) as your charity. Amazon will then donate 0.5% of all purchases (every item is eligible!) to the organization.