A / א FRAME is a Sukkah that encourages interaction and play through modularity. The form of the structure is at first an A-frame, and after blessings are recited within the structure, a canopy is lifted, creating a form similar to an Aleph (א) , which is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet. While the canopy invites individuals to eat and schmooze within and around the sukkah, the pegboard wall allows individuals to decorate the Sukkah as they see fit, with golf tees that come in a variety of colors.
Designed by Lauren Lubell, Aaron Goldstein, Spenser Atlas & myself
While there is a clear biblical explanation for Sukkot, as a celebration of the harvest, as well as a time for us to commemorate the Israelites journey through the desert, my Bat Mitzvah Rabbi, Debra Orenstein explains it a bit differently. Between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, we spend time reflecting on our wrongdoings, and come Yom Kippur, we ask for forgiveness from those we’ve hurt. During Sukkot, we construct a space that is fresh/new, where we have the opportunity to invite people we want to spend the next year with. In constructing our own Sukkah, we had a similar goal, of creating a structure that would encourage friends to come together and celebrate with us.
Process:
We spent time researching the requirements for a kosher Sukkah. With the rules in mind, we began sketching and prototyping around the form. We decided on an A-frame structure, partially because of its simple construction, but also because the form recalls that of A-frame sandwich boards, which have historically been used by individuals / businesses to display information to passersby. We wanted create a similar structure that allows its occupants to visually change and decorate the Sukkah’s appearance as they see fit, through a pegboard + golf tee system.
Having confirmed the form, we began building out the structure
We then moved onto building the canopy. To maintain a more natural aesthetic, we used branches to secure the structure.To do this, we inserted dowels into the branches, that would then be inserted into holes made in the Sukkah itself.
Having finished the structure, we moved onto painting. We played around with multiple palettes, till we landed on a simple combination, of white and green.
We then fabricated a set of stools and tables that would live within / alongside the Sukkah
On install day, we prepared the canopy with foliage we found. For the design of the pegboard, we wanted to reference the harvest, creating a simple geometric flower that people could change and add to during Sukkot
Once the Sukkah was installed, we invited friends over to celebrate with us in the evening
Photo + video by Lieyah Dagan