Date: 20 Kislev 5583
From: Rabbi Moshe Sofer
To: Rabbi Pinchas
A community building a new synagogue asks which direction the outer vestibule door should face, given that some members want it aligned with the inner door following Muslim mosque practice. The Chasam Sofer rules the outer door should face north or south (preferably south) following traditional Jewish custom, and warns that deliberately imitating non-Jewish architectural practices raises concerns of chukas akum—but stresses that communal peace takes precedence if the dispute threatens unity.
Source: Shu"t Chasam Sofer OC §27