JCC Rockland LOCATION West Nyack, NY SIZE 135,000 square feet
Nestled beside an office park in West Nyack, New York, the new JCC-Y of Rockland was created to serve the growing needs of Rockland County’s 100,000 strong Jewish community. Designed in an intensive collaborative process with the organization’s Executive Committee, the new center features expansive exercise facilities and a wide range of other spaces designed to support the organization’s expanding athletic and cultural programs and activities. The new home for JCC-Y was created out of the former research and development complex for a paper manufacturing company.
The program for this facility included the following components:
The intent of the design was to create vibrant and exciting spaces that would be a draw for the community. The intended result was to provide a true community place, not just a fitness center. Modern forms and bright colors of the younger generations were joined with Jerusalem stone and memories of the seniors.
Nestled beside an office park in West Nyack, New York, the new JCC-Y of Rockland was created to serve the growing needs of Rockland County’s 100,000 strong Jewish community. Designed in an intensive collaborative process with the organization’s Executive Committee, the new center features expansive exercise facilities and a wide range of other spaces designed to support the organization’s expanding athletic and cultural programs and activities. The new home for JCC-Y was created out of the former research and development complex for a paper manufacturing company.
The program for this facility included the following components:
- Athletic Facility with fitness center, racquet ball courts, and gymnasium with high school regulation basketball court
- Future Competition Size Pool
- Parenting Center
- Teen Center
- Senior Center
- Cultural Arts Center
- Café
- Administration
The intent of the design was to create vibrant and exciting spaces that would be a draw for the community. The intended result was to provide a true community place, not just a fitness center. Modern forms and bright colors of the younger generations were joined with Jerusalem stone and memories of the seniors.
- The JCC finishes were selected for both aesthetics and durability. The resulting spaces had to be modern, light, and appealing to all ages. The ceramic tile selected was reminiscent of Jerusalem limestone as a tribute to the JCC heritage.
- The program was developed to work within the confines of the existing paper factory without increasing the building footprint. Some steel columns were removed to allow for larger spaces. Pre-fabricated steel frames were used at the new gymnasium. Skylights were provided to bring in natural daylight and to reduce lighting costs.
- The heart of the building is a 2 ½ story atrium formed by undulating walls which lean and step away as they rise, and run deep into the core of the building. This interior ‘street’, ties together all the program areas with public gathering spaces much like town squares and narrow streets of Mediterranean cities. The curved walls of the atrium are finished with rich cherry wood panels, which over time will be adorned with artwork from the community. A café borders the atrium.