Temple Beth David

Westwood, Massachusetts

Temple Beth David is home to a rapidly growing congregation.  Originally designed by Claude Emanuel Menders, Architects Inc. in 1988, the building features a great deal of meaningful Judaic symbolism.  Due to its increasing numbers, the congregation again retained Claude Emanuel Menders, Architects Inc. in 2002 for master planning and schematic design services.  Options for renovation and design of  a new addition are currently being explored.

The site's rural character was preserved by siting the building and parking in relation to mature white pines, natural topography and an adjacent meadow. The Sanctuary and Social Hall dominate the massing, while the lobby, offices and classrooms surround a courtyard. Designed as an assemblage of traditional gabled forms with painted wood trim and clapboard siding, the Temple harmonizes with the local New England architectural context.  

Photography: Wayne Soverns Jr.


Temple Beth David: Westwood, MA.



Building circulation is organized around the private south-facing courtyard accessible formed between the Lobby/Administration and Education wings. The Sanctuary and Social Hall have their own identity, but with a folding partition can be combined into one large hall, unified through the twelve cleretsory windows, indirect lighting and vaulted ceiling. The walls are trimmed with oak; the seating is movable and stackable for flexibility. The floor finishes include carpet in the sanctuary, oak parquet in the Social Hall, and slate in the foyer. The natural light and folded ceiling planes lend a sense of spaciousness and lead the eye upward during worship.


Sanctuary: Temple Beth David.
Sanctuary

The Ark is enclosed in a slightly splayed walls in the form of a shield, symbolizing the strength in the Torah. A window above symbolizes the light in the Torah, and a medallion on the exterior wall expands on this theme. The lecterns, Ark curtain, Torah covers and holder were all designed to coordinate with the design of the Ark.


Social Hall: Temple Beth David. Social Hall




Judaic symbolism is expressed in the tripartite building form which is based on the three major parts of Jewish culture: worship, learning and community. In the Sanctuary and Social Hall, there are six bays for the days of the week, plus one bay for the Bimah symbolizing the Shabbat. There are twelve clerestory windows for the twelve lost tribes of Israel.



Proposed Addition Schematic Design of new addition



Exterior Rendering Rendering of new addition






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