Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine

Completed in 2017, The Alfred Osher Jewish Community Alliance Campus (JCA) offers a vibrant gateway to Jewish life in Southern Maine. The 19,000 square foot facility has been designed to accommodate a wide variety of community programming for all ages, including the Morris A. and Bertha Levine Portland Jewish Community Center and an Education Wing that is home to Adult Jewish Learning, the Goldman Family Preschool, after school and evening educational opportunities.

The center is situated on a compact, urban 2.2 acre site maximized for public access, solar efficiencies, sensitivity to neighbors, as well as accommodate 50 parking spaces, a natural play, and outdoor event and recreation space.

The architecture is based on the Hebrew notion of “Tikkun Olam”—and translates into themes of community, enlightenment and equality. In material expression, Enlightenment is expressed in the vertical; Community as interlocking circles; Equality as horizontal. The building massing is an expression of these three functions, acting both independently and as one.

The exterior architecture features a mix of simple materials, patterned to provide texture, scale and reinforce symbolic design references. A high performance building envelope was designed and modeled for energy efficiency.

Inside, abundant natural light is brought in through two ceiling skylights, and large perimeter windows allow light to penetrate deeply into the center of the facility. Wide and tall corridors lead to the various rooms, office, meeting and support spaces that are contained within the center. The inviting and colorful interior design is soft, inviting and comfortable with hardwood accents and paneling.

Building systems are designed to exceed enhanced energy benchmarks, increase occupancy comfort and control and reduce cost life cycle impacts. These improvements include LED lighting with daylight and occupancy controls, high-efficiency natural gas heat generation, low water use plumbing fixtures.

Construction costs: $6,288,000

Harriman

Mark D. Lee, AIA, LEED AP

Mark D. Lee, AIA, LEED AP, Principal, Architect; John Ellis, Designer; Kathryn Austin, Designer; Howard Snyder, Landscape Architect; Jeffrey LaPierre, PE, Mechanical Engineer; James Fortin, PE, Structural Engineer; John Tarr, PE, Electrical Engineer; Jeremie Briggs, Electrical Designer; Michael Morrissette, Mechanical Designer; Richard Marchessault, Plumbing Designer

Mitchell & Associates, Landscape Architect for Playground; Tighe & Bond, Civil Engineering; Connectivity Point, Audio/Visual

Portland, Maine

Jewish Community Alliance of Southern Maine

Ledgewood Construction