16th Annual Sukkah Build

October 26, 2024

BY ISABEL BERMAN

For the past 15 years, architecture students at Tulane University have upheld a beloved tradition of designing and building a sukkah—a temporary, open-air structure where people can gather during Sukkot, a Jewish fall harvest festival. 

This year, project leaders Cole Schwabacher, Ronen Lavi, and Sophia Atkins, alongside their peers, expanded the tradition by building not just one but two structures: a sukkah on the rooftop of the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience (MSJE) in downtown New Orleans, and a companion sculpture on Tulane's campus at Pocket Park. 

“This year, we wanted to bring positive publicity to both the school and the museum, along with uniting people of different cultures under the same roof,” said Ronen Lavi. 

The design of each piece emphasizes themes of peace, nature, and human connection. The Pocket Park sculpture, inspired by the dove and olive branch—symbols of peace in Jewish culture—features two leaning parallelograms with wing-like columns bound by rope, creating a feathered appearance. Meanwhile, the rooftop sukkah at MSJE highlights the Tree of Life, another significant Jewish symbol, underscoring the deep ties between human life and nature. 

Supported by Tulane Hillel, MSJE, and the School of Architecture, this 16th annual Sukkah Build marks an evolution in the project, providing students with an opportunity to deepen connections between campus, community, and cultural heritage.

Cole Schwabacher, who has participated in the Sukkah Build for three years, emphasizes the creative freedom the project allows, blending traditional constraints with unique, abstract designs that bring the festival's spirit to life. 

"Through the structure and design of the sukkah we aim to explore the narrative of a human connection with nature for a holiday which celebrates and honors the harvest of crops,” says Schwabacher. 

This year’s expanded Sukkah Build at Tulane has strengthened ties between the university, local organizations, and the broader community, creatively honoring Sukkot’s themes of unity and reflection. Through their work, students have not only celebrated Jewish heritage but also demonstrated the power of architecture to foster cultural understanding and social connections.