Western Wall Precinct
Project Title
Western Wall Precinct
Description
The Western Wall, the holiest site in Jerusalem, is the remnant of the Second Temple, built by Herod and destroyed by Titus in 70 AD. Commissioned in 1974 by the city of Jerusalem and the Corporations for the Reconstruction of the Jewish Quarter, the proposed plan recomposes the precinct as an intimate series of public piazzas, archaeological gardens, and public institutions. By excavating the praying area down to its original Herodian street level, 30 feet below the present terrain, a new order is formed. Urban design guidelines impose a geometrically transforming grid that evokes a gradual transition from the grand scale of the Wall to the intimate scale of the Jewish Quarter.

Images on this page: 1 Aerial photomontage; 2 Section showing line and zone of excavation; 3 Site Axonometric; 4 Studies of movement through the site in plan and section; 5 Sketch

Jerusalem, Israel

Timeline
between 1972 and 1988
Location
Completion Date
Notes
Client: Municipality of Jerusalem and Corporation for Development of Jewish Quarter;

Cost: US $40 million

Project Type
Creator
Safdie Architects
Rights:
© Safdie Architects. Explicit permission to use images is required. Contact the Communications Director at Safdie Architects (617.629.2100) for more information.