Folded Roof Structure for the Beth Torah Temple

Abstract

Quite recently, at the North Miami Beach Jewish park in Florida, a new temple has been completed, which is remarkable because of its metal roof structure, which is quite original, within present day trends of contemporary architecture. It has been sought to convey the impression that this roof floats on its supports, which consist of stone walls and four stiffeners. The folds shown by the roof externally are also visible from the inside. The building extends along two axes, which coincide with the two gables; along which run two beams made up of laminated sections reinforced by four angle sections. At certain points the roof cantilevers nearly 8 metres beyond its supports. The main entrance consists of a kind of arch closed with a panel into which a number of star shaped openings have been left. This is an arrangement that has both charm and an obvious symbolism. The building was initiated by setting up the gable beams with the aid of an auxiliary scaffolding, and the rest of the structure was erected in subsequent stages.