Temple Jeremiah
Northfield, Illinois
Eckenhoff Saunders’ phased masterplan for Temple Jeremiah calls for a major overhaul of the building’s interior, upgrading all life safety and code requirements, and reorganizing the site for better traffic management.
For Phase I, the site was redesigned to improve traffic circulation, increase parking to 300 cars, and provide on-site stormwater detention. Building systems were upgraded to increase energy efficiency and meet code, life safety, and ADA standards.
The interior was completely rebuilt in a series of ‘micro phases’ that never took more than two classrooms out of service at any one time. Administrative offices for both synagogue and school were relocated to be able to directly supervise both main entries. A 7,500 sf addition created a new school entry with an elevator and five new preschool classrooms. The addition was structured to allow for simple vertical expansion when program growth calls for new space.
Phase II, a complete renovation of the sanctuary and social hall, was completed in 2012. Eckenhoff Saunders worked closely with the Jeremiah Planning Committee and the single donor to complete the sanctuary with stone and millwork finishes, acoustical, lighting, and audiovisual upgrades throughout the sanctuary, social hall, and stage areas.