This enormous tilted dark-blue steel cube is the west end of the Contemporary Jewish Museum in the SOMA (South of Market) district of San Francisco, California. The 63,000 sq. ft. structure was designed by Daniel Libeskind. It is an architectural marvel and a Libeskind original, drawing as much attention for its design as for the art contained within it. This was Libeskind's first commission in North America and had been a pet project of his ever since he took it on in 1998.

The museum occupies and extends a 1907 PG&E power substation which has been extensively remodeled. The building opened in June, 2008.

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The Contemporary Jewish Museum in the SOMA district of San Francisco is a Daniel Libeskind original. The newly built museum is drawing as much attention for its architecture as for the art contained within it. CJM is Polish-American architect Daniel Libeskind's first commission in North America and has been a pet project of his ever since he took it on in 1998.

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The big blue Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, California designed by the award-winning architect Daniel Libeskind. The building is a collision of old and new. As seen in the foreground of this photograph, much of the original structure (an old abandoned brick power substation built in 1907) remains though it has been extensively remodeled. The new structure, a three-story high cube that is balanced on one corner, is sheathed in a blue metallic "skin" that changes hue depending on one's vantage point or the time of day. The blue panels were soaked in a chemical bath that resulted in the steel reflecting some colors and absorbing others. Libeskind says that the industrial process of creating these panels was so difficult that, he believes, it will never be done again.

Shot with a Nikon D70 and enhanced w/Photoshop CS3 and Topaz.

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This photo was taken on the second floor at the west end of the new Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, California. This is the interior portion of the diamond-shaped outer structure designed by noted architect Daniel Libeskind. The area culminates in a dramatic 2,200-square-foot gallery reaching at its peak some 60 feet high and, symbolically representing the Hebrew letter 'yud'. This mystical letter begins the Hebrew words for Jew, God, and Jerusalem, and the ascending, dynamic movement up to the light-filled 'yud' shape inspires a compelling space for visitors to experience programs, performances, special events, and artist installations, as well as views from the distinctive diamond-shaped windows designs.

Tags:   Contemporary Jewish Museum contemporary museum Jewish San Francisco Yerba Buena SOMA Daniel Libeskind architecture yud Hebrew letter

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The 'Grand Lobby', a 2,500-square-foot public space serves as the dynamic entry to the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco, California. In dialogue with the historic structure, this striking new form greets visitors upon their entrance from Jessie Square.

The CJM was built with the help and financial support of many private philanthropic organizations. Key among these organizations are the Koret and Taube Family foundations. Joseph and Stephanie Koret were leading sportswear manufacturers (Koret of California) in the Bay Area. Tad Taube was a friend of the Korets' who, as president of the manufacturing corporation, activated the foundation in 1979 for the purpose of benefiting Bay Area communities and the State of Israel.

Tags:   CJM Contemporary Jewish Museum Koret Taube Joseph Koret Stephanie Koret Tad Taube Bay Area San Francisco museum Koret of California Koret Taube Grand Lobby Jessie Square

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