architectural photographer pygmalion karatzas has shared images of the contemporary jewish museum and extension in san francisco, designed by daniel libeskind. opened in june 2008, the blue steel clad extension houses 63,000 square feet of space. 

pygmalion karatzas shares photos of the contemporary jewish museum in san francisco
opened in june 2008, the blue steel clad extension houses 63,000 square feet of space 
all images by pygmalion karatzas

 

 

located in downtown san francisco’s yerba buena cultural district, the extension was an architectural adaptation of the 1907 jesse street power substation. the new addition adds bold lines and skewed volumes to the more traditional original building, an interplay captured here by pygmalion karatzas.  

pygmalion karatzas shares photos of the contemporary jewish museum in san francisco
the museum is located in san francisco’s yerba buena cultural district

 

 

founded in 1984 the contemporary jewish museum is a multidisciplinary space that plays host to art exhibitions, performances, educational presentations, film screenings and more, all revolving around contemporary representations of jewish life and culture.  the extension is organized around symbolic references to the hebrew language. referencing the well know salutation of l’chaim (to life), the two volumes are conceptually modelled after the hebrew letters of ‘chai’ and ‘yud’. 

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the museum was originally founded in 1984 while the extension opened in 2008

 

 

the distinctive blue steel skin of the building is made up of over 4,503,000 luminous panels. the dynamic, living surface of the building is achieved by coloring the panels using interference-coating. due to the absence of paint or dye, the hue will never fade. the many facets of the building reflect light differently depending on the perspective of the onlooker, giving the building the impression of an ever shifting, shimmering façade.

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the distinctive blue steel skin of the building is made up of over 4,503,000 luminous panels

pygmalion-karatzas-jewish-museum-designboom-03
the distinctive shade is achieved by coloring the panels using interference-coating

pygmalion-karatzas-jewish-museum-designboom-04
due to the absence of paint or dye, the hue will never fade

pygmalion karatzas shares photos of the contemporary jewish museum in san francisco
the many facets of the building reflect light differently depending on the perspective of the onlooker…

pygmalion karatzas shares photos of the contemporary jewish museum in san francisco
…giving the building the impression of an ever shifting, shimmering façade

pygmalion karatzas shares photos of the contemporary jewish museum in san francisco
the cafeteria area is defined by exposed red brick walls and industrial steel beams

pygmalion karatzas shares photos of the contemporary jewish museum in san francisco
exposed maintenance pipes in the ceiling gives the gallery spaces and industrial presentation  

pygmalion karatzas shares photos of the contemporary jewish museum in san francisco
the museum plays host to a variety of different cultural pursuits

pygmalion karatzas shares photos of the contemporary jewish museum in san francisco
the jewish museum is located in san francisco’s downtown yerba buena district  

pygmalion karatzas shares photos of the contemporary jewish museum in san francisco
the extension is organized around symbolic references to the hebrew language

 

 

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: peter corboy | designboom