Keystone Villa at Ephrata

An innovative new retirement community in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. The design-build project, led by Hollenbach Construction, is part of the Keystone Villa Retirement Communities. Keystone Villa is a Berks County-based retirement community with locations in Fleetwood and Douglassville. 

The Ephrata location is designed around one of the former Artworks at Doneckers buildings and involved the demolition of several ancillary buildings of an old shoe factory, as well as the renovation of a 35,000-square-foot mill building.  This wing of the original building was incorporated into the construction of the two new wings, and they comprise the new 139-unit apartment building.  Amenities include a second-floor outdoor terrace, multiple activity centers, a fitness center, an outdoor courtyard, a beauty salon, and a library.  Living unit options include independent living, personal care, and memory care.

Ranch Home gets a Suite Addition

A Mother-Daughter suite addition to an existing ranch home in Boyertown, PA with the primary design goal to create an addition that feels like a separate home. The project was designed independently of the existing residence, connected to allow easy interior circulation between the aging parents and adult child’s spaces. Budget constraints and zoning limitations excluded expanding the building footprint on the site. Our vertical addition addressed this concern.

To create the effect of a distinct home, we designed a Welcoming Room entrance and elevated deck at the rear of the building. A stairway following the vaulted ceiling of the 1st-floor addition leads to a FULL second-floor, 2-bedroom, 1-bath dwelling complete with a full kitchen and laundry.

Congregation Gets a New Facility

A former J.C. Penney department store, built in the 1950s, was adapted to accommodate a growing congregation in New Jersey. Located on the western edge of downtown Dover, the building was home to a flag factory, which had been closed for about five years.

Muhlenberg Greene Architects designed a new 10,000-square-foot chapel under one 30,000-square-foot roof, combining two local congregations poised for growth. The store building was converted into a church, which required bringing it up to code, and the addition of a 40-foot steeple.

Read more about the project in this article from The Daily Record.

Read more about the project in this article from Religious Products News.

Conrad Weiser West Elementary Additions and Renovations

The newly expanded and renovated Conrad Weiser West Elementary School was completed in time for the 2012 school year, and thrilled students and staff alike. The original building was completely renovated, including an expanded Library and a new, full Gymnasium. The school serves grades Kindergarten through Fourth Grade, and the project achieved LEED Silver Green Building Certification. The additions and renovations were designed to address the need for additional classroom space, upgrade the 42-year-old infrastructure, address accessibility, security, and building code issues, and provide an improved environment that meets current standards for staff and students.

The design reused much of the existing building and recycled many of the materials that were removed during the project.  The high-performance school building uses energy-efficient technologies for the operation and control of the mechanical systems, daylight harvesting to maximize natural light in the occupied spaces, along with energy and water-conserving plumbing fixtures.

The existing building was an all-electric facility, constructed prior to the energy crisis of the early 1970s.  The new design utilizes natural gas service to reduce energy costs for heating, cooking, and hot water needs, and a new, state-of-the-art geothermal heat pump system for classroom heating and cooling.  Through the use of automated building controls, the mechanical and electrical systems reduce energy use and assist the District in reducing its carbon footprint.

The new building incorporates modern systems and controls that provide a healthier interior environment, designed to support and encourage the educational program.  Healthier environments are created by improved ventilation systems that effectively circulate and filter adequate air volumes through the spaces, combined with natural daylight to help stimulate the students and staff.  The materials selected have been chosen to prevent the circulation of harmful chemicals and dust.

Residence Hall & Bookstore Feasibility Study

A thorough analysis of options with a detailed design investigation and concept development was generated to address this project program. Following initial discussions with University Project Leadership, interviews were conducted with stakeholders from Residence Life, the Bookstore, Mail Services, Campus Safety, and University Engineers.

Development of a Feasibility Study for a proposed mixed-use building to replace the existing student bookstore with a new one, adding a cafe-style eatery, mail room, and a multi-story student housing unit. As part of a consultant team, we developed a feasibility study and thorough analysis of options through a detailed design investigation. Analysis of site constraints, campus integration, utilities, zoning, code compliance, construction considerations, hazardous materials investigation, cost, and the schedule was generated. We also provided photo-realistic artistic renderings and sketches using Building Integrated Management (BIM) modeling software.

Accessible Pathways at Kutztown University

Kutztown University is committed to equal access and to providing an environment in which individuals with disabilities can fully access programs, services, activities, and facilities. University shuttles are equipped to transport students with permanent or temporary disabilities between University facilities and the local area. Each bus is equipped with a motorized lift to allow wheelchair or motorized scooter access to the service.

Muhlenberg Greene Architects was commissioned to provide a way to make the campus more handicap accessible by reviewing all sidewalks, ramps, and curb ramps located on campus. Due to the large number of problematic areas proposed on campus, the workload went through several phases.

The first phase consisted of curb ramp modifications, existing handrail replacement, patches of roadway and parking lots being repaved, as well as several sections of sidewalks to be repaved to correct simple slope issues or ramps designated in certain locations to allow for accessibility. The second phase was to design new pathways using fewer ramps, but rather to use existing sidewalks or to design new ones to give the most direct route possible.

Alvernia University Schuylkill Center

Alvernia University traces its roots back to 1926, when the Bernardine Sisters of the Third Order of Saint Francis established an orphanage in what’s now known as Francis Hall. The institution became a four-year liberal arts school in 1958 and two years later, received its charter from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Located in Pottsville, PA, the Schuylkill Center has adult education and graduate degree programs, offering flexible scheduling with day, evening and weekend classes. Muhlenberg Greene Architects provided the planning and design services for the satellite campus, located in a former strip-mall retail space. The Project consisted of the design for the tenant fit-out of an, approximately, 10,000 sq.ft. lease area to create new classrooms, a commons area, and administrative offices. The new campus building provides much needed space for the University’s adult education programs.

Kutztown University Old Main A-Wing Elevator Addition

Built in 1864-65, Old Main is the oldest and most historic building on campus. In our early years at the close of the nineteenth century, Old Main was the sole University building, providing classroom, administrative, and living space.

Today, Old Main is a modern and vibrant educational haven, housing the university's Computer Science and Information Technology, Criminal Justice, Counseling and Student Affairs, Modern Languages, Music, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work and Sport Management, and Leadership Studies departments. You will also find the offices of Grants and Sponsored Projects, Housing, Dining and Residential Services, Public Safety, Social Equity, and Student Support Services, as well as the Women's Center and the LGBTQ.

Muhlenberg Greene Architects was commissioned to design an elevator addition to the historically significant Old Main building for Kutztown University. The elevator was planned to provide accessible entry to the ‘A’ wing of the building, which was being converted from dormitory rooms to faculty offices. The new addition permits access to the offices and maintains the secure separation of the wing from the dormitory rooms remaining in the center portion of the building. The exterior design was detailed to complement the historic character and quality of Old Main. Interior finishes for the lobby at the main floor landing were designed to match the existing wood trims and moldings of the original building. Access from the elevator lobbies to the existing building was developed through the existing window opening of the original building. The addition includes a slate roof, exterior cornice moldings and trims, and brick detailing to integrate with the original structure.

Kutztown University Deatrick Hall Renovations

Deatrick Hall is named in memory of William Wilberforce Deatrick (1853-1925), who spent the majority of his years at Kutztown as the chair of the English department. Many of Deatrick's photographs of campus tell the story of the institution from the early 1900s. In addition to faculty meeting spaces and SMART conference rooms, a satellite office for the Center for Achievement and Success (CASA) is available for residents to use. Residents living in this hall will also enjoy laundry facilities on each floor, as well as computers available in lounges.

Muhlenberg Greene Architects was commissioned to renovate Kutztown University’s  Deatrick Hall Dormitory. The alterations included mechanical and electrical upgrades to the building, interior alterations to provide a new lobby layout, renovations to the laundry room, improvements to the dorm rooms, major renovation of the resident director’s quarters, and upgrades to finishes, doors, and hardware throughout the building.

Exterior improvements included the replacement of all entrances, installation of new windows around the building, stair tower window walls, partial roof replacement, and a new ramp at front entrance to provide accessibility for the building.

Rohrbach Library at Kutztown University

Kutztown University’s Rohrbach Library provides a dynamic, intellectual environment dedicated to providing library and information services to meet the information needs of the university's community, both local and distant. The library aspires to be a vital campus partner providing innovative solutions in the pursuit of greater knowledge, through teaching, research, and learning by providing resources, services, and technologies in a welcoming environment that encourages collaboration and creativity.

Muhlenberg Greene Architects was commissioned to renovate Kutztown University’s Rohrbach Library. The renovation involved brick restoration and repairs to a masonry wall to correct thru-wall flashing problems and correct water infiltration issues. Cleaning and re-pointing of the exterior gave the building a new, clean image. Interior repairs to the damaged finishes completed the renovation.

Muhlenberg Elementary Center Addition and Renovation

Muhlenberg Greene Architects provided the planning and design services for the Muhlenberg School District’s Elementary Center building. The facility was developed as a centralized replacement for the undersized and outdated Primary and Intermediate School facilities that were located on the District Campus. The design of the new facility, planned to accommodate 1350 students in grades K-5, evolved as an Addition and Renovation to the existing Primary School Building.

The new Elementary Center, which incorporates the two-story classroom wing of the existing Primary School, was designed around a central courtyard that established a strong interior focal point for the students; and allowed the addition to be constructed while the existing facility remained in service. The angular geometry of the resulting central core provided a natural visual break that greatly reduced the perceived size of the building, resulting in a smaller scale presence on the site.

Rural Opportunities of Reading Building Renovations

Rural Opportunities Inc. Pennsylvania Division is a licensed daycare provider serving the Reading area. A private, non-profit charitable purposes multi-state organization, they provide a number of services including housing, housing development and rehab, community and small business development, employment and training, health and safety,and advocacy services to migrant and seasonal farm workers, and other disadvantaged individuals and families and communities since it was founded in 1969.

The Project consisted of renovations to a vacant brick one-story plus basement building located at 121 South Second Street, Reading, PA. The design incorporated the separation of corporate/ training spaces with a daycare environment for persons attending training and assistance classes or working within the program.

Project responsibilities for this renovation and rehabilitation project included the architectural planning and design, as well as the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and sprinkler engineering. This project was funded through Federal financing sources and incorporated the Davis-Bacon Prevailing Act and other Federal project guidelines into the project specifications.

Conrad Weiser Middle School Renovations

Conrad Weiser Middle School is a public middle school in Heidelberg Township. The school is a federally designated Title I school. This project involved the renovation of an existing 199,000 square foot school.  Design issues focused on reorganization and altering the former high school to function as a middle school facility.

The alterations include a total mechanical and electrical upgrade to the building, asbestos abatement, selective demolition, interior alterations to provide new classroom layouts, renovations to the auditorium and stage, improvements to the gymnasium and locker rooms, major renovation of the main office, guidance suite, and nurse’s suite, upgrade of the food service, and general upgrade to finishes, doors, and hardware throughout the building.

Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center Additions and Renovations

Reading Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center (RMCTC) provides career and technical education programming to prepare secondary and adult students for life after school. RMCTC completed a renovation and expansion project, increasing the size of the building by 33 percent. The facilities are modern, and the equipment is state-of-the-art.  With this expansion, students are now able to enroll in one of 31 career and technical education programs.

The improvements to the existing Vocational Technical School were designed to upgrade the existing structure and systems, and to provide additional program areas to meet the increasing needs of the Reading School District  and the Muhlenberg School District (Joint Operators of this Career Technical Center).

The project included the construction of a new automotive trades building, and a 2-story classroom addition to provide four new program areas. Additions were constructed at other areas of the building to provide expanded space for the building trades programs and for culinary and baking programs. These additions are 1-story structures. The physical layout of the existing building and program locations were altered to provide additional area to the programs that require it, and reduce program spaces that have a decreasing demand. Renovations to the Administrative office area, guidance suite, and business office  for the existing building, including comprehensive upgrades of the mechanical and electrical systems, were completed.

CHOR Day Academy

The Children’s Home of Reading’s CHOR Day Academy is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a private academic school. The Academy serves children grades five through twelve who have special and alternative education needs that can be better met in an alternative setting.

The renovation to an alternative education center’s existing building was approximately 23,300 square feet, which was increased by a 750-square-foot addition. This addition provides a new flex-space area for different educational programs and provides services in small-group settings. The new layout consists of classrooms, offices, a therapy room, a nurse’s station, a new kitchen and cafeteria, a library, and a computer room.

Mulhenberg Intermediate School Gets a New Building

The C. E. Cole Intermediate School is designed to initially house nine classrooms of grades 5 and ten classrooms of grade 6.  The building was designed for a maximum enrollment of 650 students anticipating thirteen classrooms for each grade level.

The new Intermediate School is located at the site of the former C.E. Cole School buildings.  The new facility reused the existing Gymnasium and Commons building to the fullest extent possible. The existing classroom and administration structures were demolished to allow more concentrated use of the site area.  Use of this site maintains all District facilities on the 100-acre campus.  This site allows for the existing bus circulation for the Elementary Center to be used for Intermediate School students.  The separation of bus access from the parent and public access was maintained by carefully planning the location of the entrances to the building.

The Intermediate School, as with all District buildings, serves community needs.  The gymnasium has long been used by various community groups which have continued to take advantage of the facility.  Public access to the gym and locker rooms was planned to prevent access to other parts of the new facility.  Public use of the Instructional Media Center and Multipurpose room was also planned.

The site provides recess activities for both planned grade levels.  Other educational activities benefit from carefully planning the access and design of outside areas such as the courtyard.  Security and protection of students during outside activities were considered and implemented for all areas designed.

Parking for staff and visitors was incorporated into the existing parking areas along Kutztown Road and lots located on the south and west sides of the gymnasium.  Use of the lots by the gymnasium during the school day was carefully planned so as to not interfere with bus circulation during arrival and dismissal times.

The Wyndcroft School Renovations and Additions

The original historic building was a 1930-circa stone residence, historically called the Pollock Mansion, featuring solid stone exterior walls and a slate roof. The renovation and preservation of this home involved the conversion of the former residence for use as an Early Education Center by the Wyndcroft School.  The interior renovations included the construction of an accessible toilet room on the 1st floor, the construction of student toilet rooms for the classroom areas, and modifications to the 2nd floor for a reception area for the administration offices.  The project includes a new playground for the students in the rear of the site.

Additional alterations include improvements to finishes, the addition of classroom amenities, window replacements, and code-related improvements. The mechanical and electrical systems were all upgraded, including the installation of an automatic sprinkler system for fire suppression. The addition in the rear of the building provides an accessible entrance, along with an elevator for accessibility to the basement, 1st, and 2nd floors, and an exit stair to connect all levels with a protected means of egress.

Private Residence Pool Pavilion

Muhlenberg Greene Architects employed sustainable design techniques in their design of a structure to accommodate the installation of an “Endless Pool.” The project included a study of passive solar heating and cooling utilizing ‘Direct Gain’ system techniques of southern glazing exposures, masonry storage thermal walls, projected overhangs, and careful site placement among many shade trees.

The building materials were chosen based on client preferences for low maintenance and a warm-feeling environment. Materials included renewable strand lumber beams and columns, solid vinyl windows, fiber cement siding, soft textured tiles, and a drainable brick floor for the plant watering area.

Lenape Park Concession Building

Design Development and Construction Drawings for a new concession stand and storage building for a township park.

New electric service was provided to the new building which will also connect to other existing structures.  Water and sewer connections were made to an existing well and to the existing on-site sewage system.

The park serves a wide range of activities and sports for the Township’s recreation associations.  The new structure was designed to integrate into the existing layout of the park and to enhance the image of the park and surrounding structures.

Reading Housing Authority Interior Renovations

Muhlenberg Greene Architects provided design services for the interior renovations and upgrades to five public housing units for the Reading Housing Authority. Facilities covered include Rhodes Apartments, Eisenhower Apartments, Hubert Apartments, Franklin Towers, and Kennedy Building Towers.

The renovations included new VCT flooring, replacing furnishings for common areas, replacing ceilings, upgrading lighting, and new paint finishes. The upgrades provided a new color scheme for common areas, activity rooms, and corridors.