Entry number: B07030
Project Name: Congregation Ner Tamid
Location: 55 N. Valle Verde Drive, Henderson NV
Building Type: Religious/Educational
Completion Date:  July 31, 2007
Architect:  YWS Architects


Sustainable Description

Design Team:
Architect: YWS Architects
Civil Engineer: Malpass Design Group
Electrical Engineer: RHR Consulting Engineers, Inc.
General Contractor: Isaac Building & Design, Inc.
Interior Designer: CLEO Design
Landscape Architect: J.W. Zunino & Associates
Photographer: Opulence Studios
Structural Engineer: Lochsa Engineering

Narrative/Project Description:

The Temple Campus is designed to establish a sense of place and serenity. This was accomplished by creating numerous courtyards that provide areas to gather, worship, celebrate, and reflect. Leaving the parking lot and secular world behind, congregates pass through arched trellises leading into a large landscaped courtyard that provides a gathering space before entering the main temple lobby. This first courtyard provides views into the Main Sanctuary, as well as the Beit Tifillah (small Chapel). This first courtyard also provides access to the Religious School Offices. Other courtyards include an Outdoor Patio that is accessed directly from both the Social Hall and the Sanctuary. This Outdoor Patio us serviced by the main kitchen and also has a large barbecue for sit down dinners as well as an afternoon barbecue. The Outdoor Patio includes an Amphitheater that will provide a wonderful exterior setting for religious services and weddings as well as a great place for the children to use during religious school or summer camp. Immediately adjacent to the Outdoor Patio and directly outside the Main Sanctuary windows is the King David Gardens. This quiet garden has six raised-triangular planters that together create a Jewish star, one of the oldest symbols in the Jewish faith. The significance of he six planters also represents the six million Jews killed in the 2nd world war. Eighteen is a significant number in the Jewish faith, and the eighteen sides of these six planters represent “Chai” or Life. Each of these eighteen sides, covered in granite, will be engraved with the names of loved ones, as a lasting remembrance of their lives. While these courtyards provide gathering spaces for all to enjoy, they also allow congregates in the Sanctuaries to stay connected to the world, even while in prayer as directed in Jewish scripture. The natural light in the sanctuaries is controlled by the use of deep overhangs and solar shades. The palette of colors for both the exterior and interior of the Campus are derived from the 7 species of plants in the bible; wheat, barley, pomegranate, fig, honey, grapevines, and olives.

Sustainability Description:

The use of renewable materials was used as the major building materials, including Tilt-Up Concrete Walls and Steel Roof Structure.
The large windows for both the Main Sanctuary and Small Chapel have deep overhangs that are designed to provide full sun protection during the summer months. In addition, these windows all have summer shades. All the other windows have metal shade structures that protect these windows from the overhead and the south sun. All of the landscaping is native desert, which will provide a wonderful color palette all year long, as well as be a low water user. The windows are also protected from large desert trees.