16 cubits

16 cubits is an annual architectural design festival and competition for which teams - collegiate, professional, passionate hobbyist - propose a novel biophilic sukkah design that uses local, bio-based materials and can be built in three days, with radically experimental building solutions encouraged. a curators’ panel selects teams for a weeklong retreat to build, test, learn from, and eat-dwell-sleep in their sukkot, as well as exchange potluck programming, host open community dinners, and share in analog life. interdisciplinary and interfaith teams are especially encouraged to apply.

applications for 2026 will be available in the spring.

16 cubits 2025 took place october 2-7 at Sun One Organic Farm in Bethlehem, CT with three amazing bio-based sukkahs and a public sukkot festival.

what is sukkot?

sukkot is judaism’s annual “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 is something like a remix of burning man, sukkah city, and boisbuchet

any questions? email us at hello@16cubits.org

212020_16-Cubits_Sukkot-Festival_v2_5mbps.mp4

212020_16-Cubits_Sukkot-Festival_Participants_5mbps.mp4

who we are

ethan blake is a writer, musician, 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. he leads a band called idyll worship, teaches eco-kashrut cuisine by schvitzin' in the kitchen, and writes semiotic torah commentary at 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 associate university architect for sustainability at yale university and a lecturer 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

prof + designer ian gonsher

we welcome donations here!

$54 - Carpenter's Pencil: Help feed the builders

$216 - Etrog Pie: Help supply building tools

$432 - Bamboo Grove: Help supply building materials

$1080 - Tractate Sukkot: Sponsor 1/3rd of a sukkah's construction

$1800 - Three Walls & A Roof: Support one team's participation

$3600 - Stargaze Shelter: Sponsor one whole sukkah

$5400 - Mitzvah Gadol: Build a sukkah and support the coordinating team

$9000 - Kehila Kedosha: Sponsor three whole sukkah constructions!

🌶️ hot off the press!🌶️
read about 16cubits 2024 in Judaism Unbound, Jewish News of Northern California, Hebrew Union College Newsletter, and the Daily Cal