Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Chair, ShelvingCenter for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Stairs, HandrailCenter for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Brick, Facade, BeamCenter for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Image 5 of 32Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - More Images+ 27

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Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Windows, Facade
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

Text description provided by the architects. 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. 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.

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Windows, Facade, Cityscape
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

The building is organized on four interconnected levels.

Support (services) 
The basement contains the kitchens, storage and mechanical areas.

Concept diagram

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.

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Stairs, Handrail
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

At the center, and connecting the second floor, is a stair, amphitheater, auditorium, with a balcony overlooking it from above. This multilevel courtyard is a multipurpose space at the heart of the building, the pivot of everything.

Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Brick, Facade, Arch, Column
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

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 / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Chair, Shelving
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz
Section
Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Facade
© 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 / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Image 19 of 32
© 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 / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects - Windows, Facade
© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

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Project location

Address:3141 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104, United States

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Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Center for Jewish Life at Drexel University / Stanley Saitowitz | Natoma Architects" 19 May 2017. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/871609/center-for-jewish-life-at-drexel-university-stanley-saitowitz-natoma-architects> ISSN 0719-8884

© Richard Barnes and Stanley Saitowitz

德雷塞尔大学犹太生活中心 | Natoma Architects

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