10.21.2025
Across continents and cultures, Chabad centers serve as homes for spiritual growth, education, and community connection. Each space must balance timeless Jewish values with the needs of modern life: welcoming environments for prayer, learning, celebration, and belonging.
As an interior design firm for Chabad centers, HH Designers has had the honor of designing Chabad institutions across the world, from France to Florida, Binghamton to St. Petersburg, each one infused with warmth, light, and the unmistakable sense of Jewish pride that defines Chabad communities.
The following design examples showcase how HH Designers brings Chabad’s mission of connection, education, and inspiration into built form.
The Chabad of France project stands as a stunning example of modern Jewish architecture that balances reverence with renewal. Located in one of Europe’s most culturally rich environments, the center needed to embody both the universal spirit of Chabad and the distinctly French context in which it lives.
From the exterior, the building conveys stability and strength through stonework and clean geometry. Inside, HH Designers curated a visual language of light and balance. The sanctuary is bathed in natural sunlight filtered through high clerestory windows, a reminder of the Torah’s symbolism of illumination and wisdom.
Rich oak millwork, custom-designed aron kodesh detailing, and subtle metallic accents pay homage to centuries of European Jewish craftsmanship while maintaining a fresh, minimalist aesthetic.
Communal spaces, including classrooms, dining halls, and study rooms, are designed for adaptability. Movable partitions and integrated storage allow the facility to transition seamlessly from weekday study to Shabbat gatherings or Yom Tov celebrations.
The result is a Chabad center that feels rooted in tradition yet distinctly modern, reflecting Chabad’s mission to unite global Jewish life.
Learn more about Chabad’s worldwide reach through Chabad.org, which documents over 3,500 centers serving communities across the globe.
Located along the scenic Atlantic coastline, Chabad of the Shore reimagines the synagogue as both sanctuary and social anchor. The design celebrates openness, flow, and light, connecting the rhythms of spiritual life with the natural rhythms of the sea.
The building’s architecture draws inspiration from coastal textures. The sanctuary ceiling features wave-like wood paneling, echoing movement and renewal. Soft blue and sand tones create a serene palette that encourages contemplation and joy.
Large glass facades invite sunlight into gathering spaces throughout the day. In the evening, warm interior lighting radiates outward, turning the building into a literal beacon for the community. This play between transparency and glow embodies the Chabad philosophy of spreading light outward, a message often emphasized by the Lubavitcher Rebbe and discussed in articles on The Jewish Chronicle.
HH Designers also focused on acoustics and comfort. The multipurpose hall features sound-absorbing materials and flexible seating to support both services and events. Spaces for children’s education include vibrant artwork, tactile materials, and dedicated reading corners that make learning engaging and joyful.
Design takeaway: Chabad of the Shore proves that spiritual architecture can be both elegant and approachable. The design invites every visitor, whether for prayer, celebration, or casual connection, to feel embraced by the community.
Serving a major university population, Chabad of Binghamton required a design that reflects both academic energy and spiritual warmth. HH Designers approached this project with the understanding that college students seek authenticity, inspiration, and belonging, all within a space that feels modern and comfortable.
The building’s heart is a large, flexible dining and social hall. Movable partitions allow it to host hundreds of students for Shabbat dinners or smaller study sessions during the week. The neutral color palette is punctuated with bold art and lighting features that bring vibrancy to student life.
The sanctuary embraces simplicity and intimacy. Warm woods, clean architectural lines, and gentle lighting cultivate focus and mindfulness. HH Designers also integrated extensive technology infrastructure for educational events and livestreamed lectures, allowing Chabad to reach students on and off campus.
Private counseling rooms and quiet nooks throughout the building support one-on-one mentorship, a key component of Chabad on Campus initiatives as detailed by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency (JTA).
Design takeaway: The Chabad of Binghamton is a true student home away from home. Its design balances energy with serenity, creating a setting where faith, learning, and friendship flourish side by side.
The Chabad House project embodies the universal design principles that make every Chabad center instantly recognizable: warmth, openness, and adaptability. HH Designers drew from decades of communal knowledge to create a space that functions beautifully across generations and occasions.
At the entrance, visitors are greeted by an expansive lobby illuminated by soft, natural light. The visual transition from the outside world into a calm, welcoming environment symbolizes spiritual elevation, stepping from the mundane into the sacred.
The sanctuary uses a blend of traditional and modern motifs. Custom woodwork around the aron kodesh grounds the space in craftsmanship, while concealed LED lighting adds a sense of timeless glow.
Community areas are organized around circulation hubs that foster interaction. The design encourages informal encounters between congregants, rabbis, students, and guests, an architectural manifestation of Ahavat Yisrael, love for one’s fellow Jew.
Accessibility was also a core value. Ramps, wide corridors, and intuitive wayfinding ensure inclusivity for all members, aligning with best practices in universal design as outlined by the American Institute of Architects (AIA).
Design takeaway: The Chabad House model is as versatile as it is sacred. It adapts to the needs of every Jewish community while maintaining the unshakable warmth that defines Chabad worldwide.
At the Cincinnati Yeshivah, HH Designers faced the challenge of merging educational excellence with spiritual inspiration. The yeshivah serves not just as a school, but as a home for students immersed in Torah study and community life.
The design prioritizes clarity, focus, and comfort. The Beit Midrash (study hall) is flooded with daylight from clerestory windows, allowing students to study by natural light for most of the day. Lighting design follows the rhythm of study schedules, supporting both concentration and rest.
Study desks are custom-built from durable, warm-toned materials, arranged to encourage both individual reflection and group discussion. The acoustics of the space are finely tuned to minimize echo and distraction, fostering the deep concentration required for learning Torah.
Dormitory spaces were treated with the same care as the study areas. HH Designers designed simple yet elegant furnishings to promote cleanliness, order, and pride in daily living.
Public spaces within the yeshivah, including the dining hall, entry corridor, and administrative offices, reflect the respect and honor due to Torah learning. As discussed by the National Institute for Jewish Education, well-designed educational environments can elevate the experience of both teachers and students, deepening their connection to learning.
Design takeaway: The Cincinnati Yeshivah demonstrates how sacred learning and modern design can coexist. Functionality and inspiration merge seamlessly, creating a setting where students thrive spiritually and intellectually.
Chabad of Yardley is a model of intimate, small-community design done with remarkable sophistication. Nestled in a growing suburban area, the center needed to serve as a warm home base for worship, education, and outreach, all within a modest footprint.
The HH Designers team approached the project with sensitivity to scale. Natural light is maximized through skylights and tall windows that maintain privacy while connecting the space to the outdoors. The sanctuary combines neutral tones with subtle artistic touches inspired by traditional Judaic motifs.
Flexible space planning allows the center to host everything from children’s classes to holiday dinners. A key feature is the multiuse social hall adjacent to the sanctuary, which can open into a larger unified space during major events.
The women’s section (Ezrat Nashim) and study rooms are designed to feel equally valued and beautiful, reflecting Chabad’s inclusive spirit. Every detail, from lighting fixtures to seating, was chosen for durability and comfort, ensuring the center remains inviting for generations.
Design takeaway: Small Chabad centers can carry the same impact as large campuses when the design is thoughtful. Chabad of Yardley captures the intimacy, adaptability, and grace of Jewish life in motion.
In St. Petersburg, Florida, HH Designers created the Chabad Jewish Center of St. Petersburg, a space that radiates joy and strength. The design celebrates the growth of Jewish life in a vibrant coastal community and provides a modern spiritual home for locals and visitors alike.
The exterior architecture is bold yet approachable, with clean stucco walls and geometric detailing that echo contemporary Mediterranean influences. Inside, every space expresses light, both physical and spiritual.
The sanctuary’s high ceilings and symmetrical layout reinforce the sense of unity during prayer. The aron kodesh is designed as the visual heart of the space, crafted from layered wood and illuminated from above to signify reverence and elevation.
Community areas are versatile and inviting. The event hall features movable glass partitions, allowing flexibility for classes, celebrations, and communal meals. The children’s wing includes bright murals and tactile surfaces that make Jewish learning engaging and joyful.
Sustainability also guided design decisions. Efficient lighting systems, durable materials, and energy-conscious climate controls align with principles found in ArchDaily case studies on modern religious design.
Design takeaway: The Chabad Jewish Center of St. Petersburg exemplifies how design can strengthen Jewish identity and visibility. The building feels both distinctly Floridian and profoundly Jewish, a sanctuary for body and soul.
Across each of these projects, certain principles unite HH Designers’ approach to Chabad architecture and interior design:
As Chabad.org often reminds readers, a Chabad House is not just a building. It is an expression of unconditional love for every Jew. HH Designers translates that mission into architecture, ensuring that each space communicates belonging from the moment one enters.
Through Chabad of France, Chabad of the Shore, Chabad of Binghamton, Chabad House, Cincinnati Yeshivah, Chabad of Yardley, and the Chabad Jewish Center of St. Petersburg, HH Designers has redefined what it means to design for Jewish community life in the modern era.
Each project stands as a living example of how architecture can embody values: warmth, inclusivity, beauty, and continuity. Together, they form a global story of Jewish pride and resilience told through walls, light, and space.
For communities seeking to create or revitalize their Chabad centers, HH Designers offers the expertise, cultural understanding, and design excellence to bring sacred vision to life. Explore more at interior design firm for Chabad centers.
HHDESIGNERS is an international commercial interior design agency creating spaces that elevate the way people live, work and make their mark on the world.
