Europe began to employ unique local craft designs in synagogue architecture. Folk art and animals were popular design features added to arks created during this period. Early designs in the United States featured built-in arks in synagogues, such as the 1763 Touro Synagogue in Newport, Rhode Island, which was inspired by a trend of grandeur in architectural design. The United States Jewish community continued to favor the grand or classical design style until around 1840. In the mid-1800s the Moorish style synagogues influenced by the Oriental style became the latest fashion in synagogue design. The Oriental ark design included sliding doors and a curved forepart. The most notable features of this era included domes and arches that contained geometrical polychrome designs. Many synagogue styles from the 16th to the 19th century can be seen across American and throughout Europe. However, after World War II, the ark design evolved into an art form. New experimental forms and materials were employed in the making of modern arks based on the unique interests of the community commissioning the ark. See also Dohány Street Synagogue Spanish Synagogue (Prague) Synagogue of El Tránsito Jewish culture Gallery References External links “Aron Kodesh” in Jewish Encyclopedia Synagogue architecture Jewish culture Ashkenazi Jewish culture Medieval Jewish culture Mizrahi Jewish culture Sephardi Jewish culture Torah