Institutional / Medical Architecture

Located in Allentown PA, we provided architectural services for the 57,000 SF renovation of this three-story nursing home wing. The renovations included an addition for extra patient suite space and upgrades to the balconies and main entryway. Specific renovations included reconfiguration of core spaces; removal of walls to create open concept living/dinging space; new finishes throughout to provides a less institutional look and a more residential feeling; façade renovations; lighting, plumbing and HVAC upgrades; and ‘country kitchens’ on each floor. This project was constructed in multiple phases in order to reduce the number of beds that were offline at any given time. This renovation also included some updating to outdoor spaces.

Located in Allentown PA, we took care of the planning and designing for the new four-story, 21,300 SF eye care and surgical center building. The lower level (basement) includes an optical center with lab, lens cutting, pediatrics exam and two tenant spaces for future medical uses. The first floor is the eye care center with 10 exam rooms, testing rooms and minor OR. The second floor is the surgical center with two Class C operating rooms, pre/post op, two laser procedure rooms and auxiliary spaces. The third floor is administrative offices for the practice. Services included Department of Health approvals.

Located in Allentown PA, Watkins Architect handled the planning, designing and construction observation for the renovation of an existing building, built in 1947 and located in downtown Allentown, for the relocation of Haven House’s Outpatient and Psychiatric Rehabilitation Services Clinic. The project scope included a total gut and renovation of 75% of the building and minor cosmetic upgrades to the other 25% of the facility. New spaces created include waiting, reception, offices, files/copy room, classrooms, computer lab, arts & crafts room, cafeteria, commercial kitchen, conference room, restrooms, support spaces and a location for a future thrift shop.

As part of the renovation, all plumbing, and electrical systems were upgraded and the existing HVAC system was modified to meet the needs of Haven House. The project was made possible in part by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program grant.

Located in Reading PA, Watkins Architect had the pleasure of renovating nursing units on E2 and E3 of the Reading Hospital. The scope of work included the replacement of lighting, wall and floor finishes in the corridors, conversion of shared shower rooms to private en-suite showers, replacement of all toilets, the addition of new hand wash sinks and the conversion of three existing storage spaces into dictation workspaces for the nurses.

Located in Reading PA, we handled the interior renovation of the second floor corridors to create a united “link” between old and new hospital main entrances. Upgrades include: floors, walls, ceilings and signage.

Located in Kutztown PA, Watkins provided the interior design retrofit by coordinating the optometric equipment plans with the desired building plans and codes.

An existing doctor’s office, located in Reading PA, was renovated into an impatient Drug and Alcohol Treatment Facility. The project scope included a total gut and renovations to the main level and minor renovations to the lower level. The space was designed for 20 patients, staff and visitors. The program included 10 sleep rooms, a reception desk and waiting room, a counselor’s station, doctor’s office, private therapy rooms, a serenity room, a large group therapy room, administrative areas, staff lounge, shower and bathrooms, patient laundry facilities and a large patient lounge/dining room.

Located in Allentown PA, we handled the designing of a new two-story, 6,600 SF orthodontic office building. Spaces include a two-story clerestory waiting room, seven-chair patient area, play area, lab rooms, pan/ceph machine room, consultation rooms, offices and a conference room.

The objective of this project was to update the existing lobby and create a warmer, more inviting space. Upgrades included new flooring and wall finishes, ceiling and lighting, furniture and artwork.

New finishes in the Children’s Health Center included new paint and flooring, as well as the addition of whimsical wall decals to brighten up the exam rooms. Walls were cleaned up by removing unnecessary equipment and organizing all posted material onto tack boards.

Renovations to an existing 5,000 SF building in downtown Allentown. The building was gutted and Watkins Architect LTD designed a new floor plan to meet the needs of the owner. Interior spaces include check-in, reception/waiting, conference room, exam, procedure and recovery rooms, labs, offices, staff lounge and support spaces. The front facade was also renovated.

Over the past 8 years, Watkins Architect has provided planning, design and construction observation for phased renovation of St. Michael’s Convent building in Reading, PA. The completed renovation has created a new 99 unit assisted care facility called Sacred Heart Villa. The renovation included a complete interior gut and remodel of approximately 53,000 SF, including a complete mechanical, electrical and plumbing replacement, all new windows and exterior wall insulating for energy code compliance, and a complete ADA upgrade including a new main entrance lounge porch and ADA ramp. Additional work included renovation of the main facility dining room & kitchen, fellowship hall & code upgrades including new sprinkler system for the entire facility. The exterior facade was restored with new matching windows and the new ADA ramp was blended to the building with a new covered front lounging porch.

Watkins Architect assisted with the small fit-out project for the Reading Hospital and Medical Center’s Blood Lab in Reading PA.

Renovations of a downtown Reading farmers market into a 16,000 SF primary care facility. Services included facility programming, space planning, interior design and standard architectural/engineering services. The project involved redesign of front and rear facades, demolition of existing parking structure and a two-story office addition, removal and replacement of all electrical and mechanical systems. Special attention was placed on creating a healthy, healing, community center environment.

Full Services for various Capital Campaign Renovation Projects including re-roofing, facade renovations, and code renovations. The office/training room building is a two-story 3,400 SF separate facility to house all the Health Services functions.

Phased interior fit-out of a former Redner’s Market grocery store in Leesport, PA to accommodate a new imaging center and blood lab. Project consisted of new patient and staff areas for MRI, CT, digital radiology, digital mammography, ultrasound and phlebotomy services.

Located in Reading PA, we provided design and documentation services for addition and renovation, as well as land development approval and zoning approval for addition to existing practice.

Easy Does It, Inc., located in Leesport PA, is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families recovering from the effects of addiction. The 22,000 SF addition includes two stories and a basement, and added the following spaces to the existing facility: bedrooms, offices, lounges, computer labs, classrooms, bath and shower rooms and community rooms.

Watkins Architect provided a complete renovation of the existing building to create a new 2,800 sf dental practice facility in Sinking Spring PA. The state of the art facility, includes 3 procedure rooms, 2 hygiene rooms, Lab / sterilization, breakroom, waiting room and complete facelift to the entire exterior.