Congregation Beth Adam
Congregation Beth Adam
Symmes Township, Ohio, 2001

Creating the Congregation’s first permanent home presented the danger of narrowing its identity in ways that could damage its rich and still fluid character.

Symbolism has been employed by religious architecture throughout the ages. In the context of Congregation Beth Adam care had to be taken to find the broadest level upon which to base architectural meaning. It was essential that the building seem Jewish without the overuse of explicit symbols, that it connect to the long and rich traditions of Temples without appearing falsely historical or picturesque, and that the importance of learning and knowledge could be expressed by the prominence of the library.

The spaces strike a balance between their symbolic roles and straightforward functional uses. They are intended to gently support social interaction.

An adjustment to the design allowed construction of a lower level without an increase in the budget. The space was planned to be unfinished but due to skillful management of the project cost savings in other areas allowed much of the finish work to be included.