THE CHALLENGE
Temple Ohabei Shalom’s campus is comprised of three connected buildings; Sanctuary (listed on the National Register of Historic Places), Administration Building, and Education Building. CBI first prepared a master report that included existing building envelope, interior finish, and MEP conditions, recommendations for repairs and renovations, detailed cost estimates, a 20-year capital needs reserve, and building plans to serve as a central document for synagogue leaders to use as a planning tool for upcoming projects and capital reserve forecasting. The Temple decided to restore the interior of the historic sanctuary, upgrade the outdated restrooms, and the exterior needed historic building envelope repairs. Paint and plaster on the interior arches was deteriorating, in some areas severely, due to active leaks in the exterior walls and roofing. The Bima was not handicap accessible, the Sanctuary did not have a compliant accessible entrance or an accessible toilet room, and some of the interior finishes were worn and outdated. On the building exterior, brick and stone masonry joints were in poor condition and four (4) EPDM corner roofs were in very poor condition, which was allowing water to infiltrate into the building interior. Lastly, the wood windows were in need of repainting, reglazing and resealing.
CBI’S SOLUTION
CBI designed various interior renovations of the historic Sanctuary. The entire Bima area was rebuilt including a new wheelchair ramp for handicap access in a way that increased the functionality for Clergy and allowed for flexibility as a performing arts stage while remaining sensitive to the historic value of the great Sanctuary interior. The Bima renovations also included the design and custom artisan construction of a new wood reading table, and new portable wood Ark. In order to restore the arches and damaged walls, deteriorated plaster was repaired, decorative details were carefully re-stenciled and then artisan painted, and new custom fabric panel wall coverings were installed. All new carpeting was installed in the Sanctuary, hallways and stairways, and new floor tile was installed in the Main Lobby. The toilet rooms were fully renovated including new tiles, toilets, sinks, partitions and accessories, and were also made accessible.
In order to further improve accessibility, a new exterior concrete walkway was designed at one of the building entrances to provide convenient access from the parking lot to the Sanctuary’s first floor without the use of a wheelchair ramp, and a first floor accessible bathroom was added.
Exterior building envelope repairs included EPDM roof replacements, 100% cutting and repointing of all brick and stone masonry mortar joints on two elevations. Due to budget concerns, two elevations received exterior repairs and the remaining two elevations will be repaired during a second phase. Deteriorated cast stone pieces were replaced with new precast concrete pieces that were carefully cast and colored to match the original cast stone. Flashing repairs were made in some areas and the wood windows were repainted and reglazed to protect them against the elements.
