Educational

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 SF 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.

Located in Newtown PA, we provided a three-story addition, called the Allied Health Building, to the Hicks Art Building at Bucks County Community College. This 12,000 SF 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 space, both within and through the building.

Located in Reading PA, we provided architectural services for a 2-story 15,300 SF housing facility. Services were provided in a design/build format. Further services were provided for various fit-out and renovation projects as requested.

Located in Reading PA, we provided analysis and documentation of the existing building and surrounding site in order to design an addition and renovations for the 50,000 SF building. The facility features a 12,000 SF 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

Located in Fleetwood PA, the new 13,000 SF preschool is anticipating LEED-NC Platinum Certification and incorporates a number of environmentally-friendly design elements. These design elements include 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.

Two story addition and renovation to the existing school including a new auditorium balcony, new cafeteria, 6 classrooms, learning center, conference rooms and proposed new turf field. Berks Catholic is located in Reading PA.

Located in Newtown PA, we provided 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.

Located in Schnecksville PA, we designed the 4,800 SF addition to the technical school, located in the Lehigh Valley PA area, including two classrooms, bathrooms, lounge, offices and two educational tear-down rooms for transmissions, engines, etc.

Located in Schnecksville PA, we designed the 4,600 SF addition to the existing Lehigh Valley PA technical school including a two-bay educational garage, bathrooms, two classrooms and a climate-controlled truck driving simulator room.

Located in Temple PA, we provided master planning and design of a new 24,000 SF addition to the existing church/school facility. The addition will primarily be used by the K-12 Christian school with spaces that include a full-size high school gymnasium/fellowship hall with theatrical stage, commercial kitchen, youth sanctuary, classrooms, school offices, conference room, outside play area and miscellaneous support spaces.

Located in Newtown PA, we designed BCCC Library renovations including lending library shelving, recycling center, bulletin boards, laptop work counters, lighting, ceiling upgrades and student art display.

Located in Mertztown PA, we provided planning and design for a 3,844 SF storage and maintenance building, which includes Maintenance Storage, Athletics Storage and Educational Storage. Exterior finishes were selected to coordinate with the adjacent school.

Located in Pottsville PA, we provided the interior fit-out and façade renovation for the new flagship school anchored with the corporation office. The new school is 8,000 SF and includes three lab classrooms, hair cutting station classroom, pedicure stations, hair drying stations, student lounge, teacher lounge, offices and support spaces.