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The main sanctuary on the third floor and a day chapel on the ground floor have clear windows that allow plenty of daylight transmission, in contrast to the stained glass and obscured glazing commonly found in religious buildings. The sanctuary also has light shelves just below clerestory windows to bounce light deep into the space. Lighting controls include light-level sensors that dim the lights when natural illumination is high.

A Breathing Building

The synagogue's thermal management systems help reduce energy consumption and improve indoor environmental quality. One passive strategy is evident in the sanctuary: a polished concrete floor with recycled fly-ash that helps to hold and radiate the sun's warmth during the heating season. The natural finish also reduces maintenance costs.

The sanctuary is also designed with a displacement ventilation system hidden behind the horizontal-wood-slat wall. This system delivers low-velocity air via diffusers near floor level and relies upon natural convection to move the air to return diffusers positioned higher up within the space. This allows low fan speeds, which consume less energy.

There are also operable windows around the perimeter. And each space has a dedicated variable air volume (VAV) box controlled by occupancy and carbon dioxide sensors, making the output volume of the HVAC system responsive to daily variations in the building's usage. All this not only helps to cut energy usage and costs, but also results in an environment well tempered to its occupants and their activities.

Rabbi Rosen says the congregation is glad to be setting an example of conservation. "Of course we are proud of the attention our construction project has attracted," Rosen says, "but the true honor for us will be when other houses of worship opt for LEED certification as well."

Because a faith community will use its religious buildings for decades — maybe even for centuries — the concept of stewardship is strong and the many benefits of green architecture are clear. Such an ethic of sustainability elevates the endeavor of constructing a worship space to a higher level.

Michael J. Crosbie is editor-in-chief of Faith & Form, the chair of the University of Hartford’s Department of Architecture, and a contributing editor to ArchitectureWeek.   More by Michael J. Crosbie

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SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Detail view of the exterior wall. Photo: Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing Extra Large Image The ground floor of the new JRC synagogue includes offices, child care facilities, and a small day chapel. Photo: Steve Hall © Hedrich Blessing Extra Large Image SUBSCRIPTION SAMPLE Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation synagogue ground-floor plan drawing. Image: Ross Barney Architects Extra Large Image JRC synagogue second-floor plan drawing. Image: Ross Barney Architects Extra Large Image JRC synagogue third-floor plan drawing. Image: Ross Barney Architects Extra Large Image Section detail drawing at chapel wood-slat wall and ceiling. Image: Ross Barney Architects Extra Large Image Section detail drawings at sanctuary bifold doors. Image: Ross Barney Architects Extra Large Image Ventilation, acoustic, and daylighting section diagrams at sanctuary walls. Image: Ross Barney Architects JRC synagogue sanctuary wall plan and section detail drawings. Image: Ross Barney Architects Extra Large Image JRC synagogue LEED Platinum certification scorecard. Image: Courtesy U.S. Green Building Council   Click on thumbnail images to view full-size pictures.