16 cubits is an architectural design competition for which teams - collegiate, professional, passionate hobbyist - will propose a novel sukkah design that uses biophilic materials and can be built for $3,000 in three days, with radically experimental, bio-based building solutions encouraged. a curators’ panel will select four teams for a fully funded one week retreat to build, test, learn from, and sleep in their sukkot, as well as exchange outdoor potluck programming, open community dinners, and share in analog life. 2024’s host site will be berkeley’s urban adamah - after the fest, san francisco’s contemporary jewish museum will put on an exhibition (and may travel beyond the bay area). interdisciplinary and interfaith teams are especially encouraged to apply.
what is sukkot?
sukkot is judaism’s annual seven-day “festival of booths.” traditionally, families and congregations build “sukkahs,” rustic tabernacles within specific parameters of halakha (ancient jewish law) where they eat, sleep, and gather for autumn’s harvest. we think of it as a celebration of agricultural abundance, neighborly love, and public space!
16 cubits will look something like a remix of burning man, sukkah city, and boisbuchet
any questions? email us at hello@16cubits.org
who we are
ethan blake is a writer, musician, ecological chef, and a rabbinic student at hebrew union college. he has studied urbanism and design at brown university, boisbuchet, and ut austin’s school of architecture, and he serves on the advisory boards of extend tours, seven species, and ways of peace. his weekly semiotic torah commentary is an optimist in delek palace. ethan hopes that 16 cubits will cultivate a new forum for individuals and communities who are as intentional about their spirituality as their materiality.
misha semënov-leiva is an architect, writer, and educator who is passionate about using design to connect people with the natural world. he is the sustainability coordinator at centerbrook architects and planners and a lecturer at the yale school of architecture and university of hartford, teaching courses on architectural ornament and its cosmological role. recent projects include the mill river discovery center in stamford ct and urban canopy parklet in new haven ct, a public space built from reclaimed urban trees that transformed two parking spots into an urban oasis.
our steering committee includes the marvelous:
architect marc kushner
entrepreneur joshua foer
rabbi adina allen
design researcher bree kessler
prof + designer ian gonsher