Projects
Lancaster County Solid Waste Management Authority
Lancaster, PA
Initiated by a growing need for expansion of an industrial trash center, this project evolved into a total transformation that created an appealing new gateway into a revitalized city. Since an active switch yard was located directly behind the property, the creative solution features a railroad theme that is sensitive to surrounding businesses and redevelopment initiatives. At 45 feet high, the new transfer station is the largest of the four new buildings. To break down the building’s scale, it features brick and stone arches, columns, round windows and split-face masonry foundation. As part of the renovations to the authority office building, unusual wooden bowstring trusses from the interior, believed to have been built in the 1930s, were placed above the front exterior of the building and illuminated at night.
Awards: Preservation Honor Award for New Construction, sponsored by the Historic Preservation Trust of Lancaster County
Reese Engineering Offices
State College, PA
Designed as a series of connected pavilions, the exterior makes use of natural materials such as stained cedar siding, colored stucco and copper roofs. Broad expanses of glass with large sheltering overhangs take advantage of views of the site and indirect day lighting.
The one-story facility has three open studios with soaring ceilings and glass walls that face the site’s secluded six-acre wooded campus. At the building center is the lobby and bistro, an open space with a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen, dining area, club chairs and a fireplace. An adjacent courtyard with flagstone patio provides outdoor seating. Other amenities include an extensive resource library, two conference rooms, a large workroom and a fitness center for employees and their families. Staff input and feedback was encouraged throughout the planning and design process.
Photo Credit: Larry Lefever Photography
Lancaster Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Lancaster, PA
Renovations to an unoccupied office building created a dynamic, multi-functional community hub. The building includes two levels of parking, a community business center on the main floor, and two upper levels of offices and shared spaces for the Chamber and several partner organizations. The commission began with an office-wide design competition. About a dozen teams presented a variety of approaches to reinventing the 30,000 square foot office building as the first step in selecting a preliminary design concept that would be subsequently developed into the final solution.
A New Face for the Chamber
The Chamber was committed to respecting the history of Lancaster while signaling an organizational commitment to looking forward. The updated building maintains a classical hierarchy, but is rendered in contemporary tones and textures. The former façade of 115 East King Street was designed at a time when modern lines and new architectural rhythms rejected the context and cadence of surrounding buildings in favor of new ideas. The new building face recaptures the rich architectural context of King Street by breaking down the former 60 foot façade to create a more graceful 45 foot wide main elevation stepping out toward the street.
Collaborative Work and Meeting Spaces
The building interior focuses on a range of multi-functional event and casual collaboration spaces. Varied furniture solutions include stand-up desks, “touchdown” work stations and comfortable seating with integrated charging stations, all supporting the needed flexibility. Bright pops of color and writable walls within meeting spaces and casual seating areas reinforce the energy and openness of the many spaces designed to foster idea sharing, community partnerships and business development.
Reinforcing Local Connections
Notable local material selections include slate and copper accent walls in meeting rooms, linear wood plank clouds painted in custom platinum and an open structural steel-frame stairway leading visitors to the community business center. Ceiling and lighting solutions throughout the building reflect a contemporary industrial aesthetic while maximizing natural light, integrating LED technology, and managing acoustical stability. A few details were incorporated during construction when unforeseen treasures were discovered during interior demolition. For example, an original beam from a Lancaster steel company was left exposed in the employee bistro.
Photo Credit: Nathan Cox Photography
Water Street Mission
Lancaster, PA
This 7-day complete kitchen and dining area makeover provided both functional and aesthetic improvements for more efficient operations and a better dining experience for guests. This project provided the mission with working, energy-efficient equipment and layout improvements for food preparation workflow and dining room services. Updated interior finishes and furnishings provide a more appealing environment utilizing lower maintenance, economical materials.
Photo Credit: J. Eldon Zimmerman
Fidevia Gateway Building
Lititz, PA
The first of two 4,000 square foot commercial/retail buildings, this Federal style brick structure reflects many period buildings with various aspects of the Federal style. The project also helped facilitate a long-awaited extension of a road to run behind the property. The eight-acre infill property is an irregularly-shaped, hillside lot that straddles both the Lititz Borough and Warwick Township. Future development plans for the tract include the second commercial/retail building as well as a pocket park and two age-restricted apartment buildings with ground level garage parking.
Photo Credit: Nathan Cox Photography
Columbia Public Library
Columbia, PA
A two-story addition and interior renovations support programming objectives and provide handicap accessibility throughout the library. The interior updates, incorporating flexible furnishings to support 21st century library functions, focus on the main lobby, circulation desk and meeting spaces. The design also includes an exterior reading terrace.
Photo Credit: Nathan Cox Photography