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National Museum of American Jewish History (30)The new National Museum of American Jewish History by <a href="http://ennead.com/#/projects/nmajh">Ennead Architects</a> in downtown <a href="http://inhabitat.com/index.php?s=philidelphia">Philadelphia</a> is a symbolic gesture of how the American dream can be realized through design. The building’s exterior serves as both symbol and function, facing Independence hall across the street with an airy open facade, while the heritage inside is protected by a custom <a href="http://www.shildan.com/Project--8589544383249515808/ProjectDetails.aspx?id=49">terra cotta</a> rain screen manufactured by <a href="http://www.shildan.com/">Shildan Inc</a> that symbolizes security, liberty and the protection of all citizens.1
National Museum of American Jewish History (10)Michael Rosenzweig, the President and CEO of the museum<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/michael-rosenzweig/seeing-freedom-through-im_b_766016.html"> writes</a> “<em>While the Museum will connect Jews more closely with their heritage, it will also give all visitors a greater appreciation of the diversity of the American experience and the freedoms to which all Americans aspire.</em>”2
National Museum of American Jewish History (1)The architects used this theme as the guiding principle behind the museum's profile -- the glass front expresses the openness and fragility of freedom, but behind the <a href="http://inhabitat.com/origami-like-glass-building-has-a-striking-folded-facade/">curtain wall</a> is a interesting terra cotta tiled wall system that is both traditional and forward thinking.3
National Museum of American Jewish History (6)It represents the security that freedom affords American citizens with it heavy red grid structure floating above a transparent ground floor.4
National Museum of American Jewish History (2)The terra cotta wall is interesting in terms of its<a href="http://inhabitat.com/the-best-sustainable-ceramics-from-cevisama-2011/sierragres-ed03/"> performance</a> as well -- it protects the insulated wall but still allows it to breathe, eliminating moisture and lowering the temperature of the wall assembly on hot days.5
National Museum of American Jewish History (7)Air infiltration is also significantly reduced with the wall system.6
National Museum of American Jewish History (5)The screen façade, which also affords a walkout to gaze over the historic core of Philadelphia, is generously shaded by tile but still allows light into the space.7
National Museum of American Jewish History (9)It’s a great green design feature, and although the museum certainly could have incorporated more sustainable design strategies within, it does provide a unique example of fusing symbolic gesture with practical results.8
National Museum of American Jewish History (3)The design does provide a unique example of fusing symbolic gesture with practical results.9
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National Museum of American Jewish History (8)[gallery_extend]....<br><br><a href='https://inhabitat.com/museum-of-american-jewish-history-protected-by-a-terra-cotta-eco-facade/'>READ ARTICLE</a>11
