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Watkins Architect was pleased to be the Penn State Schuylkill project architect for the $4 million residence hall that opened in August 2010. The 30,000 sq. ft. new apartment building includes 12 apartment units with 72 beds, student lounge, laundry facilities, public restrooms and a student life office. The project is LEED silver certified. Sustainable practices and features include:
A three story addition to the Hicks Art Building, located at Bucks County Community College, the Allied Health Building. This 12,000 sq. ft. building contains nursing labs, complete with a six-bed Hospital Training Unit, Radiology Training with control and dark rooms, faculty offices, classrooms and a 90-person lecture hall. Contextual elements of the existing Hicks Art Building, as well as other structures on campus, have been incorporated into the design in order to form a cohesive final product. The east facade serves as a visual "entrance" to campus and the portion of the building adjacent to the existing structure serves as a circulation spaces, both within and through the building.
Analysis and documentation of the existing building and surrounding site in order to design an addition and renovations for the 50,000 sq. ft. building. The facility features a 12,000 sq. ft. auditorium/conference center which can be divided into eight smaller meeting rooms, with a commercial kitchen that serves up to 1,000 people. Additional spaces include 20 Head Start and Early Intervention classrooms, a transportation office and a bus driver lounge.
"After" photos by Patrick Neenan
Design of a 4,600 sq. ft. addition to the existing warehouse building including a two-bay educational garage, bathrooms, two classrooms and a climate-controlled truck driving simulator room.
The new 13,000 sq. ft. preschool is anticipating LEED-NC Platinum Certification and incorporates a number of environmentally-friendly design elements, including maximized use of natural light, fluorescent fixtures with optimized energy performance; rapidly renewable cork flooring and carpet with a backing that contains 76% post-consumer materials; Eco-Spec paint low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs); Energy Star rated appliances; Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified wood; high recycled content building materials, reduced impervious cover, highly reflective roofing and site/tree design to minimize heat island effect, water use reduction, energy use reduction and many other environmentally-friendly design elements.
Preliminary design of a 960 sq. ft. reading room/classroom addition, an 1800 sq. ft. stacks addition and interior and exterior renovations to the existing 750 sq. ft. facility. Spaces include a new librarian area, a media center, stacks, archive storage and research rooms. The octagonal reading room addition features heavy timber framing and windows designed to frame the historical features of the existing site. Both the design components and materials of the exterior are inspired by surrounding buildings.
Design of a master plan for all future growth of the site including various zones of buildings, roads and paths, parking and infrastructure.
Master planning/conceptual design of site upgrades to the vehicular entrances to campus and exterior area adjacent to the Gateway Center including signage, pedestrian walkways, lighting, sculpture garden, water features and an amphitheater.
Design of renovations to the existing gymnasium lobby including paint, lighting, bulletin boards, furnishings, built-in storage and a decorative cornice that provides uplighting, downlighting and display for existing plaques.
Design of renovations including lending library shelving, recycling center, bulletin boards, laptop work counters, lighting, ceiling upgrades and student art display.
Proposal for design of a new elementary school and the surrounding site including the school building, future expansion, parking and athletic fields. The conceptual design focused on eliminating unnecessary square footage in order to provide an economical yet attractive building.
Fitness Trail (photos 1 and 2). Design of a ten-station fitness trail around the perimeter of the existing school property for use by students as well as the entire community. FASD Athletic Facilities Master Plan (photo 3). Analysis of existing facilities and master planning for new and improved athletic facilities. The project included an all-weather track, a multi-use turf field, additional bathrooms and concession, a perimeter vehicular fence, additional tennis courts, an observation booth and tournament-level field lighting.
Design of a 4,800 sq. ft. pre-engineering metal addition including two classrooms, bathrooms, lounge, offices and two educational tear-down rooms for transmissions, engines, etc.
