Projects
Waldner Performing Arts & Humanities Center, York College of Pennsylvania
York, PA
A former gymnasium, natatorium and classroom facilities were renovated and expanded. The main element of the new Performing Arts Center is a 750-seat theater with stage and full fly loft. The building includes a second “black box” performance space, as well as classrooms below the theater at a basement level. Back of house spaces include a green room, changing rooms, a scenery shop and storage areas. The adjacent former gymnasium structure was renovated into classrooms, offices and support spaces to form the Humanities Center which includes 26 classrooms, large group instruction area, learning resource area and café.
Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography
Franklin & Marshall College – Ben Franklin South Residence Hall
Lancaster, PA
The interior refresh of this residence hall was completed during the 11 week, summer break. Working inside the constraints of the existing space, study lounges, corridors, and over 100 resident rooms received new furniture and finishes. Excessive corridor doorways were removed for a more open and unified residential space. Special considerations were made to add gender neutral ADA accessible bathrooms. Subsequent interior refreshes continue in additional housing during summer breaks.
Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography
Murray Library Learning Commons, Messiah University
Mechanicsburg, PA
Library Renovations to Introduce Learning Commons
The initial phase encompassed focus groups, a facility review and an interactive design charrette to introduce mobile computer, group collaborative and other 21st century student learning features into Murray Library. An analysis of mechanical, electrical, plumbing and sprinkler systems, as well as code and accessibility reviews identified opportunities for energy efficiency, occupant comfort and accessibility improvements. The subsequent renovations incorporated Learning Commons into the existing infrastructure and involved flexible design concepts that could be implemented through a multi-phased process.
“RLPS successfully organized a team to integrate Learning Commons Spaces while allowing the library to remain functional with the bulk of the work occurring during the summer.”
Kathie Shaffer, Vice President of Operations; Messiah University
Breathing New Life Into Multiple Areas
The design solution reconfigured the main floor to provide an enlarged “Barnes and Noble” style café and informal study area at the front door. This area has electrical power and wireless internet access throughout and includes a number of collaboration stations that support a range of group gatherings and meetings. Two multi-seat media tables in this area include an integrated audiovisual system that allows students to plug in their laptops for viewing on the flat panel display at the end of the table. Opposite the café is one of three “touchdown” station areas to support student walk-up use for email retrieval, library catalog review and web surfing.
Both floors include new group study rooms with laptop connections, flat panel display and built-in sound system and controls for group collaboration and meetings. Numerous informal private and group work tables with power and internet connections are also provided throughout.
Meeting Current Needs with an Eye to the Future
This update project, funded in part through the Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program (RACP), provided needed space for complementing programs, such as testing and learning /writing centers, to be assimilated into the library. The expanded student run cafe, Cafe Diem, helps to keep students and staff on campus, provides student employment and now serves as a valuable revenue resource for the College. To enable Messiah College to adapt to continually evolving technologies, the Learning Commons areas utilize modular furnishings in lieu of built-ins to accommodate future updates as needed. The design solution also envisions a future mezzanine level to function as a quiet study area.
Award: American School & University Architectural Portfolio Outstanding Design
Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography
Recording Studio – York College of Pennsylvania
York, PA
World Class Recording Studio Created by Re-Purposing Classrooms
YCP Studios, the new recording studio on campus was made possible by re-purposing existing space within an academic building where other music department classes were already taking place and which has served as an informal gathering space for musicians. The new on-campus recording studio opened the door for students to not only gain hands-on experience with professional recording equipment, but also allowed them the opportunity to create the York Music Group, which in turn manages its own record label – YCP Records.
The newly formed York Music Group also books entertainment through its event planning and promotion division, York Live. With the addition of this unique space on campus, YCP students are now able to directly experience every aspect of creating, recording, promoting, and performing music.
State-of-Art Resource for Students, the College and Community
Drawing on the experience and technical knowledge of design team members, including world-class acoustical consultants, we were able to transform two unused classrooms into a state-of-the-art, acoustically engineered studio for audio recording and production services. The studio provides cutting-edge technology to record, mix and master an artist’s work, while also functioning as an active learning classroom.
Since it’s opening, the studio has been opened up to the active music community in York, Pennsylvania, turning the space into an income generator for the college while creating a lively and inspiring environment for their musically talented students and faculty.
“Part of our job as a college is community engagement. It’s about getting folks in the region in here to do work, which also helps our students.”
Shawn Young, Ph.D., Music Industry Studies, Associate Professor of Music, as quoted in York Dispatch
Photo Credit: Nathan Cox Photography