We Need Protection: Designing an Entrance That Takes a Beating

Can you guess what this is an entrance to? Not a bureaucracy office. Not a hotel lobby. Something more important — the entrance to Yeshivas Toras Chaim.

What went into the design

Besides aesthetics, there were many practical aspects to take into consideration. Saying this space is high traffic is an understatement. Between bochurim and suppliers of large-quantity goods entering and banging up the place, as you can see in the before pictures, this place isn't empty for more than a second. Even photographing it proved difficult.

We had to work out exactly which areas take the most hits — trolleys banging the wall before turning the corner toward the lift.

Then I got to my drawing board.

The scheme

I chose an Atlas greige large tile for both floor and wall, broken up by intervals of wooden slatted panels with effective LED strip lighting. To protect those panels I ordered black metal troughs cut to size, acting as a buffer zone for the more delicate wood around the room.

For sophistication and interest, I had a wide strip of grey stretched ceiling incorporated along the length of the ceiling, edged with asymmetrical moulding, with alternating LEDs and recessed wall-washer lighting. And don't miss the strategically placed little spotlights on the floor between the troughs, giving angled up-lighting.

Lighting, lighting, lighting is what makes a space.

The messy corner

This corner beckoned for help. It housed the fire extinguisher, the main electric box and other technical eyesores. On top of that, a large percentage of bochurim own electric scooters, which needed an organised and safe home.

So we worked out a parking and charging system outside in an enclosed safe place for the scooters. We got permission from the Fire and Safety department to move the fire extinguishers slightly over, and were then able to conceal all the mess behind closed doors.

The guard's station

Another factor was what to do about a station for a guard — at that point they had hoped to replace him with CCTV. (Yes, that was pre-October 7th.)

So I designed a corner unit that sits closed in the corner niche, with an angled top to stop it becoming a dumping spot, hoping it wouldn't be needed. When in use, the top folds on itself to give room for someone to sit and work at it as a desk.

Unfortunately it got put to use very soon, with an armed guard.

The result

Notice the reflection of all this in the stretched ceiling, giving ambiance and height to the space.

"כי באור פניך נתת לנו ה' אלוקינו תורת חיים"

May the זכות of לימוד תורה protect us all and bring an end to our tragedies.