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The Temple B'Nai Zion (A) is a one -story A -frame "praying hands" style <br />building (Fig.l &2) that was constructed in 1964. In addition to the Main <br />Sanctuary, Portico and Memorial Tower, the site design included a connector <br />building and a meeting hall. Designed in the Mid - Century Modern Style, the <br />exterior of Temple B'Nai Zion is clad in randomly coursed limestone blocks, <br />with a copper roof. <br />The main entrance to the building faces the northeast corner of the lot, at the <br />intersection of 1781t, Street and Atlantic Boulevard. The entrance is preceded <br />by the Memorial Tower(C) and a welcoming portico (B) that is supported by <br />a series of triangularly shaped columns that progressively grow from the <br />ground up as stacked triangles. Supported by the columns is a cantilevered <br />covered portico (Fig,7) with the entry doors at the center. (Fig.6) Slightly <br />recessed from the portico, connected by a small covered walkway is a pair <br />of double doors adorned with a bronze abstract star. The center of the wall <br />above the entry doors is a series of glass panels set on a diagonal with <br />wooden vertical and diagonal muntins that create a pattern of an <br />abstracted tree, referencing the beautiful stained glass center panel at the <br />rear of the church. The Memorial Tower (C) is a tower of concrete coated <br />steel that begins with a wider support at the bottom, and then soars towards <br />the sky, higher than the main roof ridge of the church, originally terminating in <br />a cross. (Fig.4) <br />The most striking architectural component of Temple B'Nai Zion is its roof, <br />(Fig.3) composed of sturdy beams that extend down into low -lying buttresses. <br />(Fig.S) The roof creates a swooping sensation with the ridge starting low at the <br />front of the building and gradually rising to its point at the rear. The shape of <br />the roof forms a triangular shape, which holds a large stained glass window <br />behind the altar, originally called the "Grace Window. "24 (Fig.9 &10) <br />The high peaked roof creates a feeling of openness within the interior of the <br />Main Sanctuary; this feeling is maximized through the use of large windows as <br />well as the multiple slits containing stained glass windows that line the side <br />aisles. The interior showcases the materials that are found on the exterior of <br />the building, including the limestone blocks forming the walls and wood <br />paneling on the ceiling. (Fig.1 l) The space seats 310 with room for an <br />additional 200 chairs in overflow areas. <br />Temple B'Nai Zion retains a high degree of architectural integrity and there <br />have only been minimal changes to the original design. One small change <br />includes the replacement of the cross on the memorial tower with the Star of <br />David. The entrance to the synagogue also features a monumental <br />menorah. Hand rails have been incorporated on the steps leading to the <br />synagogue with a Star of David incorporated into the balusters. The original <br />stained glass windows that line the side aisles have been replaced with clear <br />glass. <br />24 "Sunny Isles Lutheran... Something Unique," The Miami News, 2 Februaryl964. <br />14 <br />