Renovation Archives - Page 2 of 4

March 7, 2023

CC Spotlight, Renovation

The South Plaza

Located along the southern side of the building where the current school awning is, the new South Plaza helps accomplish the goal of incorporating more accessible outdoor gathering space. Here, members will have the space to sit and enjoy the nature and sunlight of our beautiful grounds. Students will be able to safely wait to be picked up by parents and caretakers. Additionally, the plaza incorporates an ADA-accessible ramp up to the level of our new South main entrance.

The naming opportunity for this South Plaza has been claimed.

Thanks to CGS Architects for the renderings below.

This bird’s-eye view of the south side of the building includes the South Plaza, the new main entrance, the south addition façade on the left, and the existing building façade on the right. Note the ease of access from the parking lot and the inclusion of a bicycle rack.

February 22, 2023

Renovation, Updates

South Addition, Phase 2, Update 8

Preparations for the structural steel frame that will form the skeleton of the new addition continue. The steel work is scheduled to begin on March 6. Here you can see the builders have added the wooden scaffolding and prepared the foundations that will support the construction of the structural steel work. You can also see the close up of the foundations for the new elevator shaft, which will support a faster and more modern elevator. Below, you can also see a picture of the old school entrance doors, currently hidden inside the building behind temporary walls in the school wing. This old entrance is being prepared to become the secondary set of security doors that separate the school wing from the rest of the temple, providing an extra layer of security for our students.

2023 2 21 Construction from West ground level

2023 2 21 Construction Close-Up of trenches for foundation and piping

2023 2 21 Construction Close-Up of rebar installation in foundation

2023 2 15 Construction Close-Up of Elevator Column

February 15, 2023

CC Spotlight, Renovation

The Book Nook & Lantern Stairwell

Among the many security improvements gained from the renovation and expansion project, one of the most important is placing the School wing behind a second set of secure doors. Additionally, the renovation allows the schools to reclaim the space under the current school stairwell (by the elevator) and turn it into a “Book Nook” designed for our early readers to explore books in a safe, secure, comfortable, and developmentally appropriate setting. In the design renderings below, you can see several angles showcasing different aspects of this unique new space, which lies just beyond the new main lobby.

This is one of many spaces that are open to naming opportunities through the Honor our Heritage Build our Future Campaign. If early childhood development & reading and our early childhood school programs are something that are particularly meaningful to you, we hope you will consider making a Cornerstone pledge to have this space named in your honor. Questions? Reach out to our leadership team here.

Here is the Book Nook inside the secured school wing. On the bottom right (south) are the secure doors separating the school wing from the new main lobby. To the left of those doors is the Book Nook. Further left is a school storage closet and doors to the existing school hallways.

February 8, 2023

Renovation

South Addition, Phase 2, Update 7

The cinderblock core of walls of the new South Addition that border the existing building are now complete! You can now see how far the addition extends past the end of the current building and where openings are left for the doorways and hallways connecting the addition to the existing building to the addition. Additional cinderblocks are piled to await the construction of the outer walls of the addition . At the same time, the construction team is laying the water and sewage pipes, and connecting them to existing piping, so that the concrete slab under the South Addition can be poured. In the coming weeks, the steel beams used to create the framework of the Addition will be erected, and we will get a real sense of the size and shape of the Addition!

January 18, 2023

Renovation

South Addition, Phase 2, Update 6

With the recent installation of clear plexiglass in the playground site fencing, our Nursery School students love watching the construction progress in action! Over the past few weeks, earth has been filled back into the site’s foundation and has been leveled to form the new ground floor. New bearing walls have now been put up which defines where the new South addition meets the existing building. In these photos you can see the space for the new doorways and openings that will connect the existing hallway and Social Hall to the upper and lower lobbies of the South Addition. In the coming weeks the skeleton of the South Addition will start getting erected and the vertical structure of our addition will start taking shape.

January 11, 2023

CC Spotlight, Renovation

New Entrance & Lobby

The South Addition re-orients the “front” of Temple Sinai to a south entrance by the parking lot. This new entrance improves the accessibility, increases the security, and enhances the feeling of community for all those who enter our shared spiritual home. In the design renderings below, you can take a virtual tour of what it will look like to enter Temple Sinai through the South Addition.

As you enter the building you pass through two sets of secure glass double doors, welcoming members & visitors with a beautiful view into the life of the temple interior while also providing the modern standard in entry security.

December 21, 2022

Renovation

South Addition, Phase 2, Update 5

With the foundation for the new expansion laid, concrete for the exterior walls and support beams are being poured layer by layer. Each week can see the walls rising, and the earth being flattened to form the floor-bed of the addition. Inspired by the excitement from Nursery and Religious School students about the ongoing construction, we have also installed “view-windows” in our construction site fencing. Now students will be able to watch the machinery and construction happen as they play in our playground!

View of construction site from above

December 9, 2022

CC Spotlight, Renovation

The Outdoor Classroom

Based on a creative idea from the Temple Sinai Nursery School leadership, the new “outdoor classroom,” tucked away between the Bet Am and the school wing, provides our littlest students with a cozy and secure area all their own. What was once an unused space is now filled with inviting activity stations and a natural setting for learning and play. Visible from the Bet Am, this beautiful play space allows all congregants to feel connected to the joy and creativity emanating from Temple Sinai Nursery School students and faculty.

November 18, 2022

Renovation

South Addition, Phase 2, Update 4

With the demolition completed, the foundation (both literally and figuratively) of our new expansion is being laid! Over the past two weeks, successive layers of concrete have been poured, forming the beginnings of the new exterior walls. You can start to see the expansion’s outline taking shape—an exciting time for us and the Nursery School students eagerly watching through the barrier fence. Over the coming weeks the foundation will continue to be set and the walls will continue to grow (and we’ll be cutting portholes so the children can get a better look)!

October 19, 2022

Renovation

South Addition, Phase 2, Update 3

The demolition portion of the renovation & expansion project is almost complete and we will be ready to move on to construction in the next week or so! Here you can see the visible yellow painted outline where the borders of the new South Addition will be, as well as the demolition of the side of the current building that will connect to the South Addition. Progress has also been made to clear the way for the boardwalk path that will lead from Jocelyn Street to the new South Addition entrance and where trees will be planted to create a healthy tree canopy for years to come. Keep an eye out for more updates in the coming weeks as new concrete footers are poured and other foundation work begins!

View of construction area from above

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