To achieve a quiet, contemplative setting for meditative worship, the Friends Meetinghouse needed to feel detached from its urban context. So the meeting space is oriented to the back of a courtyard, surrounded by mesquite and acacia trees. The design was inspired by the functional and simple spaces of early meetinghouses, which also served as community gathering spaces. Built to a human scale with simple materials, this project is well suited to the land and expresses the essence of Quaker spirituality.