Cedar Grove, New Jersey
Joel Ives, AIA, architect of a major renovation to an existing two-story office building, and the designer of a number of religious buildings, was the perfect candidate to renovate this structure for Tzu-Chi to convert it into a Buddhist Temple and a school. In transforming the office building entrances, additions were added on both main elevations to provide new appropriate design elements fitting for a Buddhist Temple. A new curved parapet contrasts with the skyline. Specialized details such as a lotus pond, handrails reminiscent of architecture in China, are key elements in the design. Mr. Ives had the difficult task of taking the project through the Zoning Board in order to obtain approvals. However; the project was approved and is in full operation.
