The Beth Israel Memorial Chapel consists of a two and a half-acre site design and a semi-enclosed sanctuary to accommodate memorial services of three hundred people. Included are a mausoleum, fountains, an arbor walk, landscaping and meditative courtyard spaces, shaded from Houston's heat and humidity. The semi-enclosed chapel is cooled by natural breezes and passive design techniques. The entire project seeks to heighten awareness of the passage of time, the cycle of seasons and the tactility of nature, as a ceremonial respite from the sealed, air-conditioned environments of Houston.