East Greenwich – Temple Torat Yisrael was recently completed in East Greenwich. Initially designed by GMI Architects in association with Michael Landau Architects of Princeton, N.J., GMI of Boston and Bristol, was ultimately retained to complete the final design work, construction documents, and manage construction administration.
The project was sent out for bids with final award given to Pascack Builders of East Greenwich. The new building site is setback from Middle Road in the wooded area of old growth trees. A new driveway leads back to the 18,000sf temple and parking for 68 cars. A large social hall, library and chapel compose the majority of the program. The 220 seat sanctuary exhibits six 20-foot high windows.
The sanctuary can be expanded by opening a 13’ high operable wall to the social hall, enabling a total of over 650 seats. As a reception space the social hall affords 240 seats with tables. An 800sf patio provides social events with a direct connection to the easterly conservation land. A library will support the education program with nearly floor to ceiling windows facing the sanctuary,
The 50 seat chapel will be utilized for smaller services and special events. These major program spaces are connected by the west facing main lobby that provides an interior social space for multiple occasions. The main entry and education wing are connected to a large exterior entry patio.
The temple’s west wing contains the education and administrative program. An open multi-purpose space is surrounded by six classrooms, four of which can be expanded into two larger classrooms utilizing accordion walls. A small service kitchen and separate bathrooms accompany the education spaces.
The building is constructed of masonry block with a steel roof. The decorative masonry facades are patterned with ground & split face blocks creating a striated horizontal appearance.