As part of the Jewish harvest festival of Sukkot, many Jews build sukkot, huts that are reminders of the ancient Israelites' nomadic dwellings. My friend Josh Foer of Atlas Obscura co-organized a design competition in New York City to radically re-imagine these temporary structures while still following the traditional design and ritual constraints. Twelve finalists will build their high-concept sukkot in Union Square on September and 19 and 20. The "People's Choice" winner will then be on view until October 2. All of the amazingly creative, avant-garde designs can now be viewed on the Sukkah City site. Seen here at top left is "Gathering," by Dale Suttle, So Sugita, and Ginna Nguyen, New York. Top right is "Fractured Bubble" by Henry Grosman and Babak Bryan. Below those two finalists is one of the 600 entries, titled "Hashkiveinu," from my architecture student nephew Ari Pescovitz, Kyle Campbell. and Chad Gleason. I'm admittedly biased, but I dig their idea to use CNC machining and prefabrication to make their sukkot a kit. Congratulations all who entered! I'd be thrilled to enjoy a harvest meal in any of these marvelous shelters.
"Sukkah vs. Sukkah" (New York Magazine)
