Temple Beth Am

The new K’hilah Center’s exterior fiber-cement panels and curtain-wall windows are integrated into a seamless cladding system with built-in drainage and venting.

The existing Temple was re-clad with exterior fiber-cement panels and expressed drainage flashings to blend with the new K’hilah Center.

Non-penetrating detection revealed highly-elevated embedded moisture levels.

Probes inserted into walls confirmed deeply-embedded moisture and high risk of fungal decay.

Seattle, Washington 
Client: Schacht-Aslani Architects 
Dates of Service: 2005-2009

Project Summary: This existing wood-framed temple needed to expand to accommodate educational programs. Schacht-Aslani Architects designed this major addition as a distinct, though attached wing, the K’hilah Center, whose elegantly simple exterior form is clad primarily with an integrally-drained and vented fiber-cement panelized cladding system in combination with curtain-wall glazing. 

However, the existing portion of this building, which was wood-framed and clad primarily with an Exterior Insulation and Finish System, (EIFS), was also displaying signs of moisture intrusion and degradation, requiring evaluation, followed by complete exterior re-cladding.   

PL:BECS Services: PL:BECS consulted on this project in two phases.  The first pertained to the new major expansion, the K’hilah center.  PL:BECS consulted to the architects in the selection and design of the temple’s exterior envelope elements, including roofing, waterproofing, exterior claddings, masonry wall assemblies, window systems, and the basic structural components, to minimize risk of leakage, condensation, corrosion, and degradation.  A drain-vented fiber-cement cladding integrated with exposed sheet metal flashings provided an economical and highly functional, yet elegant exterior skin for this building.

The second phase of services pertained to the older temple structure.  PL:BECS evaluated this structure’s exterior envelope integrity, which revealed numerous areas of moisture infiltration, along with localized severe damage to the wood-framed structure.  This evaluation resulted in the complete re-cladding and re-roofing of the entire existing structure.  The new cladding mimicked the new adjacent K’hilah center, and consisted of a similar, drain-vented fiber-cement system with exposed flashings.