Projects

Southeast Middle School

Lancaster, PA

One of seven middle-secondary urban schools, Hand was originally built in 1924 and expanded in 1927. The District identified Southeast as a “turn-around” school prompting much needed changes to programming and infrastructure. The interior was demolished down to the structural frame for major system and infrastructure replacement and the historic exterior facade included replacement of windows, doors and roofing. The design captures roof stormwater and diverts it from an overburdened combined storm and sanitary system. The project was partly funded by federal grants promoting sustainable initiatives and the development of Science and Technology curriculum.

Award: LEED Silver Certification

 

Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography

Elizabeth Martin School

Lancaster, PA

Replacement School with New K – 8 Configuration

This new school, located in a dense, working-class residential neighborhood in Lancaster city, replaces the 1950s era school for kindergarten through 5th grade students. The new K-8 configuration will help ease overcrowding at one of the middle schools and will serve as a model if the District decides to convert other schools to K-8 configurations in the future.  The new school was constructed behind the old building, which was subsequently razed to allow for better traffic flow and additional parking.

Breaking Down the Scale of the Building

The new Elizabeth Martin School has three classrooms per grade including one dedicated special education classroom per grade. The new building is divided into two levels within the classroom wing, with shared commons spaces, such as the library, administration areas and nurse suite located on the upper level at the main, controlled entrance.

The kindergarten classrooms are paired to share a common area for teacher storage and student bathrooms with fixtures designed for smaller children. The 1st through 8th grade classrooms are arranged on two floors, with the younger grades on the first floor. Two music and two art classrooms are located in the main spines connecting the classroom wings.

Flexible Spaces for Multi-Use Practicality

Flexible learning spaces, furniture solutions and building-wide WiFi support continually evolving teaching practices. The cafeterias for 1st through 5th grade and 6th through 8th grade are separated by a folding partition wall. When opened, this space can function as a large group area. The main gymnasium will double as the auditorium. A second fitness area is provided to accommodate additional space needs for physical education classes.

LEED Silver Certified

The project, which earned LEED silver certification from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), is partly funded by federal grants promoting sustainable initiatives. Sustainable design features include motion senors for lights, low flow plumbing fixtures and daylighting in all classrooms. Throughout the building, lower window sills and larger windows were utilized to promote daylight and outdoor connections.

Award: American School & University 2015 Architectural Portfolio, Outstanding Design Combined Level School

Photo Credit: Nathan Cox Photography

Lingle Avenue Elementary

Palmyra, PA

This new K–5 elementary school includes a kindergarten center serving the entire district. Set up as a “school within a school,” it consists of two single-story, eight-classroom pods with shared spaces connecting the pods including a multi-purpose room and kitchen serving area. The two-story primary grade wing and kindergarten center are connected with shared spaces including a library and “cafetorium.” The building has a geothermal system for heating and cooling and features bamboo flooring in the gymnasium.

Award: LEED Silver Certification

 

Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography

Hybrid Homes at Landis Homes

Lititz, PA

“We knew we wanted a different type of residential housing that was higher density but wasn’t a typical apartment building.  RLPS took that idea and development the hybrid homes.”

Linford Good, Vice President of Planning Marketing

This new neighborhood of hybrid homes™ was developed in three phases of two buildings each. Phase I included 25 residences and earned LEED Gold Certification. Phases 2 and 3 were designed to the same standards but were not registered for formal recognition. Each building includes up to 13 individual residences, a hearth room on each floor, ground floor community room and service areas.

Hybrid Homes™ Combine the Best Features of Apartments and Cottage Homes

The hybrid homes™ provide a new seniors’ housing option, blending the benefits of both cottage and apartment living to provide an intentional community that can be tailored to special interests, educational development or economic need. Multiple exposures, sheltered parking, outdoor living and an absence of corridors are among the cottage-like benefits. Apartment-like features include indoor access to common and service areas and opportunities for social connections in a multi-story building which requires less site area. Hybrid homes foster a sense of community between occupants of up to 13 homes per household with shared living areas including a hearth room on each floor, community room and service areas.

Sustainable Design Features

The hybrid homes™ provide a more compact footprint than traditional patio homes to preserve open space. Under-building resident parking reduces surface parking lots and the associated heat island effects. A geothermal mechanical system, high performance windows and increased insulation are projected to help the project achieve 48.6% higher efficiency than ASHRAE base models. Ultra low-flow fixtures and rainwater harvesting for non-potable uses will be used to increase water efficiency. A legacy stormwater management initiative is restoring campus stream channels and adjacent floodplains to historical elevations and locations to ultimately improve groundwater filtration and recharge.

Awards: Citation Award for AIA/LeadingAge Design for Aging Review, Honorable Mention Award – Design Environments for Aging, NAHB Best of 50+ Housing Council – Gold Achievement Award / Innovation Award, LEED Gold Certification

Learn More About Hybrid Homes

Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography

Longwood at Oakmont

Verona, PA

This LEED Silver Certified apartment building and clubhouse project is positioned on a hillside with views of Pittsburgh and the Oakmont Country Club. The clubhouse provides varied dining options including a bistro with display kitchen, formal dining with terrace seating, hearthside dining and a lounge area. The apartment building includes a fitness room, creative arts studio and multi-purpose rooms. This LEED Silver Certified apartment building and clubhouse project is positioned on a hillside with views of Pittsburgh and the Oakmont Country Club. The clubhouse provides varied dining options including a bistro with display kitchen, formal dining with terrace seating, hearthside dining and a lounge area. The apartment building includes a fitness room, creative arts studio and multi-purpose rooms.

Awards:  LEED for Homes Silver Certification

Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography

Coburg Village, the Lutheran Care Network

Rexford, NY

Master planning resulted in the expansion of this 55+ rental community including 78 one and two-bedroom apartments, ranging from 826 up to 1,179 square feet. The new apartments provide larger living spaces, introduce open kitchens with breakfast bars and offer screened-in porches and balconies. Expanded community areas include a new Parisian-style bistro offering tableside service and patio seating, a state-of-the-art fitness center, a large auditorium for musical performances, speaker presentations, parties and other functions. Also featured are a specially designed art studio and an expanded chapel to accommodate a variety of denominations.

Awards: LEED for Homes Gold Certification