Description

Oheb Shalom Temple & Blaustein Foundation

TAC designed a number of religious centers in the United States. Temple Oheb Shalom represents an important example of how TAC was able to create a flexible design to accommodate multiple religious activities throughout the year. With this challenge in mind, TAC positioned the social hall on the same axis as the temple. A wall made up of large folding doors can either separate the two spaces or make them one large open area. A long concourse running through the plan connects the various spaces of the synagogue—social hall, temple, administrative offices, and school. These units of the building are arranged around courtyards. Four 40-foot vaults distinguish the temple space. As with other TAC projects, there is an explicit connection between art and architecture at Temple Oheb Shalom. Walter Gropius commissioned artist György Kepes to execute the wall mosaics in the entrance lobby as well as the colored windows.