Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects Inc

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University

Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects

MECHANICAL
Acies Engineering

MANUFACTURERS
Montigo, WASCO Skylights, YKK AP

ELECTRICAL
Acies Engineering

LEAD ARCHITECTS
Stanley Saitowitz (Design Principal), Neil Kaye (Architect of Record),
Michael Luke (Project Architect), Steve Sanchez (Project Designer/Manager)

CIVIL ENGINEER
Bohler Engineering

LANDSCAPE
Bohler Engineering

STRUCTURAL
CVM

PLUMBING
Acies Engineering

CONTRACTOR
Bittenbender Construction

AUDIO VISUAL
Applied Video Technology

AREA
13900 ft²

YEAR
2016

LOCATION
Philadelphia, United States

CATEGORY
University, Community Center

Text description provided by architect.

Drexel University’s Hillel House is sheathed in local red brick as textured fabric draped in an abstract menorah that terraces down to the street.

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

Arranged on four interconnected levels, the square building has thickened side walls which contain services, and four central columns which structure the middle, front and rear. The building is organized on four interconnected levels.

SUPPORT (SERVICES)

The basement contains the kitchens, storage and mechanical areas.

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

ACTION (COMMUNITY)

The street level is dedicated to everyday life, to meeting and talking, siting around a fire, gathering and eating at the rear which opens to a garden.

At the center, and connecting the second floor, is a stair, amphitheater, auditorium, with a balcony overlooking it from above.

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

This multilevel courtyard is a multipurpose space at the heart of the building, the pivot of everything.

FORMATION (LEARNING)

The second floor is for focused activities, offices for planning and arranging, rooms for quiet study and discussion, places for groups and gathering, spaces for exploration and learning.

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

WORSHIP (DIVINITY)

The top floor is the place of worship, the Shabbat floor, the level of sanctity. The three prayer gatherings, conservative, orthodox and reform, are connected with a central court that opens with a circular cut, an absent dome to the sky above.

This is the only view in the city free of the works of man. This absent sanctuary is what is common and connects the three branches of worship in shared faith. The largest room doubles as the library, or Beit Midrash, the House of Learning.

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

By day, light reflects on the woven brick notches, by night light shines from within. This is a space to create a continuing community of traditional values through meeting, learning, and ceremony. This is a place to gather and emanate light.


Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz


Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz


Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
Third floor plan
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
Ground floor plan
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
Second floor plan


Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
Concept relations
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
Concept diagram
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University
Section

Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects Inc
T +1 415 6268977 F +1 415 7017900
Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects Inc
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