The Abraham Center is a home for the three major abrahamic faiths; Judaism, Christianity and Islam. By placing these siter faiths under a single roof, it is intended that physical proximity will foster constructive discourse and collective comprehension.
The Abraham Center is located blocks from the University of Illinois and serves the spiritual needs of students as well as the wider community.
[ SUSTAINABILITY ]
1 WATER HARVESTING
Water is collected off major roof planes, including the entry court roof, where cables bring down water to planters below. Water collected is stored in a cistern and used for the site and building’s needs.
2 DAYLIGHTING
North facing saw-toothed roofs allow for even, light and reduced heat-gain. Furthermore, this allows solar panels to be attached to the south-facing slope, thus maximizing solar exposure.
3 NATURAL VENTILATION
Operable grills along the ground floor glass facade allow for natural ventilation to cool the unconditioned atrium / circulation space. Upper exhaust vents create a stack effect that draws heat out and cools the atrium.
By housing Jewish, Islamic, and Christian congregations in a unified building, the challenge of diminishing attendance in a large single-use structure is counteracted. With services on friday for Muslims, saturday for Jews and sunday for Christians as the common days of worship, the Abraham Center will be at capacity use multiple days a week.
