Named in honor of Lawrence and Theresa Salameno of Allendale, the 1,525 square feet Salameno Spiritual Center is a multi-faith student centre, where students and members of the college community can practice their faith, discuss ethical issues, seek refuge, and use it as a place for quiet contemplation.
The facility designed by New York-based Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture is the newest addition to the college and occupies a scenic and sheltered one-half acre on the south shore of Kameron Pond at the centre of the campus.
The complex encompasses four structures, two outdoor gathering places, six small woodland gardens, and a deck with views across the pond. The 25 ft-high Padovano Peace Pavilion, the largest structure with 800 square feet of interior space, has been designed to house up to 80 people as well as a variety of smaller groups. The pavilion has been constructed with individual triangular and trapezoidal sloping surfaces. The pine boards are attached with acoustic panels draped in fabrics. The gardens bordering it have been planted with a range of indigenous flowing plants.
The McBride and Marino Meditation Spaces are conceived as identical, individual places for contemplation offering single benches that can accommodate one to three people.
The Center was first proposed by Dr. Anthony T. Padovano, a founder of the College and professor of literature and philosophy, and was later approved by the Ramapo College Board of Trustees. According to Padovano, the center has been modelled upon the United Nations Meditation Room, which is open to all cultures for contemplation.
