BEACHWOOD, OH (Sept. 19, 2006) – The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage has been recognized by the American Institute of Architects, Ohio Chapter, in the 2006 Design Awards program with an Honor Award for design excellence in new construction. The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is the only project in new construction to receive the highest award from the AIA.
Designed as an iconic and textural geometric form, the Museum is symbolically integrated in its landscape. The architecture expresses a highly sophisticated and elegant simplicity, emphasizing excellent materials and craftsmanship. The 24,000 square foot building is clad primarily with Jerusalem limestone quarried in Israel, cut and tooled to evoke the texture of ancient city walls, while creating an endless play of light and shadow within a modern vocabulary.
Cleveland-based Westlake Reed Leskosky, the largest and one of the oldest design firms in Northeast Ohio, served as the architects for the institution.
In addition, Westlake Reed Leskosky was also cited for its architecture and engineering of the Maltz Museum with a 2006 Construction and Design Award of Excellence presented by the Cleveland Engineering Society.
Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage: An American Story
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage joins an important group of world-class institutions as a living testament to the courage and achievements of Cleveland’s Jewish community. Personal stories of individuals and families – past and present – come to life in the exhibition galleries through state-of-the-art technology, films, computer interactives, unique artifacts, compelling oral histories, art and images. In addition, The Temple-Tifereth Israel Gallery presents an internationally-recognized collection of Judaica. The Museum also hosts special exhibitions of national and international acclaim.
The Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage is a partnership between The Maltz Family Foundation, the Jewish Community Federation’s Centennial Initiative and The Temple-Tifereth Israel with research support from the Western Reserve Historical Society.
For more information about hours, admission, programs, the Museum Store and special exhibitions, visit www.MaltzJewishMuseum.org or phone 216.593.0575.
Westlake Reed Leskosky
Westlake Reed Leskosky is the largest design firm in Northeast Ohio, and has offices in Washington, D.C. and Phoenix, Arizona. Widely published in professional design and industry publications, Westlake Reed Leskosky has been recognized with nearly 200 design awards, including the AIA Ohio Gold Medal Firm Award, several honors from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the National Endowment for the Arts Federal Design Achievement Award for work with the National Park Service, and numerous state and city-wide American Institute of Architects design awards. The firm is one of the country’s oldest architectural firms, founded in 1905 by Abram Garfield, son of the 20th President of the United States. The success and growth of its practice is based on comprehensive architectural and engineering design services with vertical integration of highly specialized capabilities.
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