Los Angeles Business Council recognizes Katz Family Pavilion and Shalom Garden for outstanding achievement in design and construction.
Stephen Wise Temple and Wise School were honored at the 48th Annual Los Angeles Architectural Awards, hosted by the Los Angeles Business Council (LABC) on June 1 at the Beverly Hilton. Wise received its architectural award in the Education category, recognizing Katz Family Pavilion and Shalom Garden for ground-breaking design and for the project’s commitment to meeting the modern day needs of the Wise and greater Los Angeles communities.
Architect Michael Lehrer (left) and Head of School Tami Weiser (right) graciously accepted the LA Architectural Award in the Education category at the LABC’s awards luncheon on June 1.
Senior Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback, Senior Rabbi Emeritus Eli Herscher, Head of Wise School Tami Weiser, architect Michael Lehrer, and Building Committee Chair Leandro Tyberg attended the Architectural Awards luncheon, gratefully accepting the prestigious award from LABC.
Named for the Katz Family (Ronald Katz, Dana and Todd Katz, and Kathy and Randall Katz), Katz Family Pavilion serves as the primary athletics facility for Wise School, a top-tier early childhood and elementary school serving nearly 500 students that celebrated its 40th anniversary during the 2017-18 academic year.
A majestic, angular roofline pointing towards Jerusalem and four bi-fold glass doors, each measuring 29’ in height and 20’ in width, create a dramatic new centerpiece on the Wise campus, allowing full views inside the gymnasium as well as an impressive option for additional outdoor seating during events. Honoring the legacy of Rabbi Herscher, who retired in 2015 after 40 years of service to Wise, Shalom Garden features sweeping arc-shaped benches lined with olive trees and Jerusalem Stone dedication pavers. This beautiful addition to Wise is used as a meditative area for reflection, gathering, and worship.
“This year we received over 275 submissions in 23 design categories, representing a historic number of high quality projects,” said Mary Leslie, President of the Los Angeles Business Council. “Congratulations to this year’s exceptional and diverse winners.”
This year boasted an especially competitive pool of applicants, with 54 winning projects awarded by the LABC. From brick and mortar retail transformed into creative office environments, to mixed use developments and the tallest new building west of the Mississippi, the project winners reflect a city in transition demanding new, innovative ideas from the architectural community.
