The Joseph Slifka Center for for Jewish Life at Yale, with a modern building facade featuring a lighted wall with horizontal panels, contrasting with a brick structure under a twilight sky.

New York

Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale

Exceptional waterproofing for a walkable skylight

  • Category

    Roofing Solutions, Waterproofing & Deck Coating Solutions

  • Completed

    2023

  • Type

    Higher Education

  • Size

    19,000 sq. ft.

Challenge

The Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale is the hub for students, faculty, and community members at Yale University, providing a space for Jewish learning, cultural programs, religious services, and social events. The center welcomes students of all backgrounds and levels of observance, providing a pluralistic environment where they can engage with Jewish traditions, values, and leadership opportunities. Constructed in 1995, the building was designed to accommodate the growing needs of Yale's Jewish community. The 19,000 sq. ft. structure recently underwent renovations to enhance its facilities, but the dining hall, in particular, required more seating and functionality. The challenge was finding a way to expand the dining hall's seating capacity while preserving the natural light provided by the courtyard alongside it.

Solution

The solution was to incorporate a walkable skylight over the courtyard, seamlessly blending functionality with design. This approach not only expanded the dining hall's seating capacity but also preserved the natural light that enhances the space, and offered a versatile surface where students and staff could gather. The rest of the solution set was three-fold:

  • Walking surface waterproofing and pavers
    To address waterproofing challenges while ensuring long-term durability and functionality, the design incorporated the Parapro® Roof Membrane System along with porcelain pavers on pedestals, over insulation.
  • Sealing to maintain structural integrity
    To address issues from the original build involving poor flashings that resulted in water damage, leading to corrosion of conduits within the exterior walls, Siplast assisted the project's building envelope consultant to effectively seal these areas.
  • Seamless transitions between assemblies
    Siplast solutions allowed for the technical detailing of the existing flashing conditions and complex transitions of the new assemblies.

These renovations have revitalized the building's exterior, enhanced its functionality, and transformed the space into a versatile hub for student programs — all while prioritizing sustainability and design innovation.


Project team

  • Ownership: Joseph Slifka Center for Jewish Life at Yale
  • Architecture and Interior Design: Landow and Landow Architects LLP
  • Building Envelope Consultants: CANY Architecture & Engineering DPC
  • Contractor: Babbidge Construction Company
  • Installer: Barrett Roofing
  • Roofing: Siplast

Siplast Systems

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Roll image of Pro Base TS base sheet.

SBS base sheets: Pro Base

Specifically designed as the base sheet of PMMA liquid-applied roofing and waterproofing systems, Pro Base series sheets are high-performance SBS-modified bitumen base sheets for use with Siplast's Parapro Membrane Systems. Torch-applied to approved substrates, its unique top surface is factory-coated with a proprietary Syntan® acrylic coating, while the back surface is coated with a high-performance modified asphalt adhesive layer specifically formulated for torch applications. The adhesive layer is manufactured using a special process that embosses the surface with a grooved pattern to provide optimum burnoff of the plastic film and maximize application rates.
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Parapro Roof on Power Plant in OK

PMMA Flashing Resins and Roof Membrane

Parapro Flashing Resin and Parapro Roof Membrane Resin, when individually catalyzed, are combined with polyester fleece to form a monolithic, reinforced waterproofing flashing membrane or roof membrane system. Parapro Flashing Resin is designed for use in conjunction with a variety of Siplast roofing and waterproofing systems for flashing details and as a repair material. Parapro Roof Membrane Resin is designed for roofing applications not subject to pedestrian or vehicular traffic.

  • Available in summer and winter grade.
  • Available in white or light gray.
  • Supplied in resealable drums with locking rings.
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