Brawer Hauptman & Larkin is a Philadelphia based architectural firm specializing in healthcare, higher ed (colleges and universities), and religious architecture, especially churches, synagogues, and Jewish institutions such as JCCs and community centers. Our healthcare projects include small in-hospital renovations to larger free-standing care centers. We also specialize in adaptive reuse and historic preservation.
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Temple Emanu-El
Westfield, NJ
Temple Emanu-El is a thriving Reform synagogue in Central Jersey. The existing building was built in phases over the past 35 years and was in need of reconfiguration and renewal. BH+L completed a Planning Study to explore options for renovations.
Brawer Hauptman + Larkin conducted numerous interviews and led a design charrette that included over 70 congregants. The resulting design included a new addition that not only solved the ambiguous entrance problem and provided more security and a new image for the building, but also created an upgraded and welcoming entrance experience, a reimagined lobby/gallery space, and livelier gathering and social spaces. The proposed renovations included a new, larger chapel and a reconfigured sanctuary.
The sanctuary design proposed removing the fixed pews and reorienting the flexible seating toward a lower, moveable bema centered on the room's attractive stained glass windows. Moveable partitions allowed the room to expand into the social hall to provide more seating when necessary , and new windows were proposed to bring natural light into spaces that are currently windowless.