Projects
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
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
Little Run Lodge and Dormitory, York College of Pennsylvania
York, PA
Suite-Style Student Housing and Support Spaces for 1,000-bed+ West Campus Housing Complex
The Little Run complex completes the West Campus housing master plan with construction of additional student housing and student services. Little Run is a 154,480 square foot, five-story building offering three, four and five-person suites designed to house 360 students. Each suite includes a kitchenette with mini refrigerator and microwave, living room with soft seating and an end table, and bathroom with shower.
Little Run Lodge is designed to provide services for the entire West Campus Community including a dining hall with multiple venues and a production kitchen. Other support spaces include a mail room, lounge and game room spaces, meeting rooms, banquet space and a “grab and go” convenience store.
The architectural character reflects the dominant aesthetic of the overall campus, while slightly varying each of the student housing buildings for individuality. The buildings are designed in a contemporary style while using the common campus palette of red brick, precast and terne-metal stainless steel roofs and trims.
“We have worked with RLPS on numerous projects over the past 29 years. Our longstanding relationship is based on the firm’s respect for our goals and commitment to deliver the best possible product in each given circumstance.”
Dr. Ken Martin, Dean of Campus Operations, York College of Pennsylvania
Photo Credit: Nathan Cox Photography
Meadowood Senior Living
Worcester, PA
The first step in implementing a campus-wide master plan was updating first impression spaces in the community center. A porte cochere was added outside, while inside the main lobby the focus has been redirected to social areas with the receptionist desk reconfigured as a concierge-style gesture. The café was reconfigured to create a distinctive bistro experience. The library was re-envisioned as a club room to better support the adjacent multi-purpose room. Stairs leading to lower level activity areas were opened up to draw attention to those spaces where finishes and furnishings were updated to maintain a consistent design aesthetic.
The second phase involved creating new venues and breaking down the scale of the dining experiences, as well as expanding and improving wellness venues. Outdoor connections and sustainable strategies are seamlessly integrated into the design solutions. The underutilized courtyard was transformed into a new campus amenity to create engaging outdoor event spaces to complement and enhance the dining and wellness updates.
Award: Environments for Aging Remodel/Renovation Competition, Finalist
Photo Credit (afters): Larry Lefever Photography and Nathan Cox Photography
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