This design balances sustainability and efficient construction through prefabrication. The timber structural system is engineered as a kit of parts for streamlined assembly.

Visitors enter from the west, encountering the Social Hall, which acts as a transition between public and private areas. The adjacent sanctuary is wrapped in double-layer translucent fiberglass panels, enhancing insulation and sound control. A cable-supported truss with expanded metal panels provides additional solar protection. The Education Wing, designed as a modular single-bay system, allows for flexible expansion.

At the heart of the program, a tree serves as a communal and symbolic focal point. In Jewish tradition, the Tree of Life (Etz Chaim) represents wisdom, continuity, and spiritual growth. It embodies the center’s role as a place of learning and connection, while also reinforcing Jewish values of resilience and environmental stewardship.

Sun & Light Management

The building’s orientation maximizes natural light from the east, south, and west. Photovoltaic cells on the north-facing roof of the Education Wing capture solar energy, storing it in a nearby bunker to power the facility.

A façade system of translucent fiberglass, low-E glass, and wood shutters filters harsh UV rays, optimizing daylight and minimizing energy use.

Sustainable Materials

The building slab incorporates fly ash concrete, a strong, eco-friendly alternative to Portland cement, reducing landfill waste while improving durability.

By integrating systematic prefabrication, passive solar design, and a symbolic tree at its core, the center fosters community, sustainability, and continuity—values deeply embedded in Jewish tradition.

Client: FJCC | Location: Flemington, NJ, USA | Project Type: Synagogue / Education Center / Assembly Hall | Total Floor Area: 21,000ft2 / 1950.9m2 | Budget: Withheld | Status: Competition, 2001

Design: HTDSTUDIO New York