The mission of the Hillel House – Brody Center for Jewish Life is to create a welcoming and caring environment for Jewish students at the University of Virginia by establishing comforting and tangible presence on campus. This facility is founded on the premise of such presence, offering a refuge for students to socialize, study, celebrate holidays and rituals, attend services and perform outreach programs to the larger Jewish community.

Working alongside BRW Architects, the McKee Carson team created a master plan that articulated the overarching goals of the center while restoring an historic structure within the University district of Charlottesville.  Paramount to our charge was the preservation of the property’s architectural and horticultural character and integrity.  Respectful of this matter, the team was successful in incorporating contemporary uses and progressive stormwater management strategies. The resulting design responds to the idea of social justice and responsibility to make the world a better place to live.  With proper execution and maintenance, the pure and grounded design principles of the Client and consultant team, will allow members to pursue their mission both locally and abroad.