SYMBOLIC COOLING TOWER SCREEN
THE OSHER INN AT CEDARS
Portland, ME
NORTH COURTYARD WITH LOUIS KAHN COOLING TOWER SCREEN ON ROOF
LOUIS KAHN'S SKETCH AND MODEL OF SANCTUARY, PROPOSED NEW HURVA SYNAGOGUE, JERUSALEM (NEVER REALIZED)
OSHER INN SOUTHEAST FACADE
NURSING CENTER ON LEFT, SYMBOLIC LOUIS KAHN COOLING TOWER AT CENTER
Integral to the design of this Jewish sponsored facility is the roof top cooling tower screen serving as the focal point of the entire campus (see Cedars Master Site Plan Item 5.) The form of the cooling tower screen borrows from Louis Kahn's powerful un-built design for the ancient Hurva synagogue in Jerusalem. The calm symmetry of the trapezoidal form and void of the oval symbolize the Sanctuary. The old Hurva Synagogue, dating back to 1701, was considered the most important synagogue in the land of Israel and central to Jewish spiritual life.
