This home was constructed from scratch around a few main themes – attention to religious and family rituals and integration into the environment. The house was created using different volumes so that it would not be imposing in relationship to the land and the neighborhood. The conscientious use of materials, such as a silvery fieldstone from Lake George, New York that surrounds the base of the house, creates a genuine harmony with the landscape. Many rituals are facilitated in the design of the house to fit the lifestyle of observant Jews. For instance, Shinberg.Levinas created a dining room sink and sideboard especially for the Jewish pre-meal handwashing ritual, using wood that matches the client’s dining table. The social nature of the occupants is accommodated in a combination living/dining space allows 50 to 60 people to sit down for a meal. A courtyard was also constructed with a large glass wall to create a welcoming environment for visitors, especially neighbors who walk to the house on the Sabbath.¹

¹ Drueding, Meghan. “Open House: A Maryland custom home embraces traditions and community.” Custom Home. Jan-Feb 2008: 69-73.