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Q & A - The Architect

How much money has been spent to date and what has it been spent on?

To date the committee have employed an architect to prepare options according to their brief. The amount spent has been greatly subsidised by the architect as a gesture of good will. We have paid a fraction of what the actual fees should have been - £5k Vs £2 million.

Which architects did you brief? / Why have we engaged this firm of architects and not any other?

The sub committee briefed architect firm, Walters and Cohen. They considered a number but eventually settled on this firm due to their good reputation in the industry. The founder, Cindy Walters, is an award winning architect and an ex-Fosters associate. She's not Jewish so does not come to this project with any pre-conceived ideas. She's very capable and has worked with Barry Rose on a number of projects including Kew, Bedales School and a Church. She specialises in Modern Architecture / designing schools and nurseries and is willing to listen and take on board comments.

What research did she do?

To meet the brief Cindy and her team of architects have researched what goes on in a synagogue and in other community centres for inspiration. They looked at contemporary synagogues around the world, courtyard spaces, a permanent Succah, a main shul hall, nurseries and modern mikvehs globally. All spaces were to be open, light, bright, functional and adaptable. They also researched outside areas and green open spaces, as well as an entrance which has a sense of arrival.