Elemental abstraction.

Using simple construction techniques and drawing on the traditions of ancient desert settlements, Will Bruder's worship and learning centre for a Jewish community has a compelling tectonic intensity.

Located in Scottsdale (an eastern suburb of Phoenix), the Kol Ami worship and learning centre contains both religious and educational facilities for a local Jewish group. The complex of buildings is conceived as a modern version of the traditional fortified village in the spirit of ancient desert settlements. This deflects the rather lacklustre suburban context and reinforces the elemental presence and raw materiality of Will Bruder's complex of buildings. So far, the complex consists of a synagogue, school and community rooms arranged in a tight knit pattern of streets and protective courtyards. The intimate matrix is intended to reinforce a sense of community identity. Only the first phase has been completed, but eventually the complex will extend to occupy half its allotted suburban block; the rest of the site contains a landscaped area for car parking.

Overlooking the parking garden, the east wall of the Kol Ami compound forms its principal public elevation. As yet the wall is only partly complete, but will eventually undulate along the full length of the complex in a languid, sensuous curve. The focus of the first phase is a large volume described as a sanctuary which is used for worship and various educational activities. Slashes of sunlight energise and illuminate the space through clerestory glazing in the roof and a carefully positioned square window on the south wall. A cherrywood ark containing the Torah's scrolls is set against the east wall.