The Fifth Avenue Synagogue was a different adaptation of architect Percival Goodman's language of the modern synagogue. Almost all of his synagogues built before and after this one were located on large suburban plots of land, allowing the programs to spread out into a cohesive landscape. In the urban context, Goodman was forced to rethink this spreading effect and adapt it to the narrow lots found in New York City. By stacking the programs Goodman was able to devise just over 9,000 sq ft of functional space on a 50' x 100' plot of land. The distinctive cat eye windows are said to actually represent leaves, a symbolic representation of peace.