BOSTON, MA Kaplan Construction announces that it has begun construction at Congregation Kehillath Israel on Harvard Street in Brookline, Massachusetts. Kaplan will provide construction management services for the complete interior renovation to the existing buildings and a 10,000-square-foot addition. The work, designed to improve the facilities and make them ADA compliant, is scheduled to be complete in 2018.

Kaplan's preconstruction expertise and long résumé of building houses of worship in Greater Boston were key factors in their early selection, despite the conceptual design still being developed. The five year preconstruction phase consisted of numerous design concepts, budget analyses, and brainstorming to craft the temple's new mission and identity. Kaplan played the critical role of balancing the congregation's vision with their fundraising efforts.

"It is our mission to create a model for 21st century urban Judaism that serves our congregants and inspires the broader Jewish community. Kaplan took the time to understand our needs, expectations, and concerns, and has provided us with open communication and innovative solutions," said Marc Plonskier, Chairman of KI Building Committee. "The dedication they apply to successfully complete a job and achieve a customer's full satisfaction is unmatched. They even took the time to locate the original manufacturer of the century-old Spanish tiles for the roof replacement, and worked with them to have tiles custom matched and made."

The interior renovations will require heavy structural modifications and the installation of new bathrooms and modern HVAC, mechanical, and lighting systems. An elevator will be installed to create an accessible means of travel between the original historic structure and its subsequent additions. The new addition will create a spectacular social hall with a catering kitchen and direct access from the Sanctuary for hosting wedding receptions, Bar and Bat Mitzvahs, and other special events. In 2016, Kaplan completed the exterior restoration to the congregation's sanctuary and school, which were originally constructed in 1924. The project featured a new terra cotta tile roof, gutters, and main staircase to the Sanctuary, and required the production of cast stone pieces to match the original texture, color and architectural design to restore the masonry. As with many Kaplan projects, great care was taken to minimize the impact to the community, neighbors, and the congregation.

Congregation Kehillath Israel began as a small collective in 1911 and was granted a Charter by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1917. In celebration of its centennial year in 2017, Congregation Kehillath Israel has dedicated itself to creating a multi-generational, innovative and inclusive center for Jewish learning and worship, and has welcomed Congregation Mishkan Tefila to co-locate on its Brookline campus as it aspires to create an innovative model for urban Judaism for the next 100 years.

Project team members include:

"¢ Handlin, Garrahan & Associates of Belmont, Massachusetts: Project architect
"¢ WaypointKLA of Needham, Massachusetts: Owner's rep
"¢ Stantec of Boston, Massachusetts: Landscape architect/civil engineer
"¢ Energy Economics of Newton, Massachusetts: MEP engineer
"¢ Foley Buhl Roberts & Associates, Inc. of Newton, Massachusetts: Structural engineer
"¢ Building Envelope Technologies of South Easton, Massachusetts: Waterproof engineer