Slideshow: Ohel Jakob Synagogue - by Wandel Hoefer Lorch Architekten - Munich, Germany

This beautiful synagogue in Munich was one of the precedents I used for my thesis design project. The exterior stone facade with the metal mesh sanctuary rising out of becomes an elegant form that reveals the interior functions. The entrance to the synagogue when there isn't a service is a bit disappointing, having to go through the nearby community center and through a tunnel. I understand the security concerns, and the tunnel was actually rather well designed but it didn't offer a sense of grandeur or spirituality. I was also a bit disappointed with the interior design of the sanctuary. It came off as looking a little to corporate for some reason. But the quality of light in the sanctuary was great and all in all it was a wonderful experience visiting a fantastic work of modern religious architecture.