October 4, 2012
To the Editor,
Hello,
I wanted to offer a Q&A or story idea around a Toronto-based architect who specializes in designing for Jewish schools. Paul Cravit, Design Director at CS&P Architects (csparch.com) worked on the Community Hebrew Academy Toronto (CHAT) 15 years ago building on a long-standing relationship with Independent schools in Canada and the firm’s track record in education. The school was originally a small Toronto District School Board facility but with the help of Paul and CS&P, has expanded into two campuses: The northern Tannenbaum Campus and the south Kimmel Education facility. It was through this project and Paul’s association with Jewish culture that grew this area of the firm’s work in education.
CS&P recently finished a $5 million renovation to Leo Baeck, the only reform Jewish Day School in Canada and largest in North America. They are also currently working on projects for two elementary schools which are scheduled for completion in 2013.
There are a number of factors that must be considered when designing for a Jewish school that impact the design and set it apart from a secular facility. These can include pedagogy, culture, religion and issues of security. Classrooms are set up differently from a spatial perspective and have different requirements. Jewish festivals and holidays must be accommodated in the space and there are more stringent security requirements which need to be established.
The recently completed Leo Baeck was designed to foster a connection to nature and incorporates a lot of natural light. Creating a feeling of openness and transparency through visual sightlines into the classrooms, CS&P worked to create a space with a real domestic quality. When a student enters their new school the hope is to create the feeling that they are entering a neighbour’s home.
I’d be happy to facilitate an interview with Paul and/or provide more information and images of the new Leo Baeck school if you’re interested.
Thanks,
Julia Harper