Founded in 1886, the Jewish Theological Seminary is one of the premier Jewish institutions in the United States. The existing 1929 building is situated in a dense urban setting flanked by housing to the north and a concentration of other academic institutions such as Columbia University, Barnard College, and the Manhattan School of Music.
The new building was conceived as a porous campus breaking down the density and inward focus of the existing building. Part of the existing outdoor courtyard has been enclosed to create a light filled space which will be an active center of gathering for both students and visitors. A new auditorium and library are entered from this space to encourage access to a once impenetrable building. (Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects)