Graduate Center Renovations

Sometimes called the jewel of Kutztown University, the limestone Graduate Center is unmistakable on campus. Renovations and repairs to the exterior and interior were required to mitigate areas affected by water infiltration. Investigation of the building was performed using high-lift surveying, with a partial excavation to identify sub-grade infiltration, and the subsequent development of a two-phase plan, coordinated with University Facilities Management.

Historical District Post Office Reconstructs Brick Screen Walls

A circa 1910 USPS Main Office located in a Historical District had existing brick screen walls that required reconstruction and repairs to restore the original condition, to be performed while the facility remained operational. Reviewed and approved by the local historical commission, the reconstruction process required matching the brick and special ordering shapes to emulate the original design.

Sophisticated Bar and Office Space for Downtown Revitalization

This existing building's major renovation project is located on Penn Street, the highly visible main drag of the City of Reading, and brings with it new vitality and economic impact. Constructed in 1894, the building was home to an inn and restaurant before becoming a chandelier factory and store. This project is a catalyst to revitalize the area.

A four(4)-story building, with a first-floor retail design, and upper floors for office space. The major tenant is a local distillery and tasting room located on the lower level(s), with upper floors designed as modern, professional office space with skyline views, for one or multiple tenants.

An expansive NanaWall (TM) folding glass door was incorporated on the street level to enable the seating for the distillery to easily expand onto the plaza area. The facade renovations also include window replacement on upper floors to meet the Historical Review Board area standards.

Berks Nostalgia | Walking Tour of the Revitalized Building

Reading Distilling Guild Restaurant/Bar Adaptive Reuse Project

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Carriage House

The Big Brothers Big Sisters Carriage House of Berks County, PA project is the recipient of the  2019 Building Berks Nonprofit Project Award. 

The Carriage house was purchased by BBBS in 2001.  Funds were raised in 2017 with the goal to create a modern facility that is safe, comfortable, and inviting for socializing, training and interviews.

The Carriage House is a historic property.  One of the more challenging parts of the plan was to preserve the historic front façade of the building, which had four (4) original Carriage House overhead doors.  To accomplish this, one of the overhead door panels were cut and hinged, creating a functioning entryway from the street, and uniformity on the outside.  The remaining three original panel doors are solid and anchored, and the exterior has maintained its historic appeal.

An exterior brick retaining wall was removed on the side of the Carriage House, and pathways were paved so that water may run down the hillside to the street without getting trapped.  This solution avoided the added expense of floor drains.

Outside in the yard, a trench was dug to place a large PVC pipe between the main building and the Carriage House.  This pipe holds all the lines run for gas, water, and other utilities.

Inside was a blank slate.  The interior was completely rebuilt, including the floor which had been sloped from back to front.  To adjust this, a ramp was added inside where the door to the street is located.  The remainder of the interior floor was built up on a platform to create a level surface.  Steps were added to the side entrance, and the staircase to the second floor was rebuilt.

Working with code officials, it was determined that a single bathroom could be added to the floor plan because there are additional bathrooms in the main building.  This solution saved money for the client and allowed room for the new kitchenette.  The lower level accommodates new electric, plumbing, and alarm systems.  And a new closet was created on the second floor to house the HVAC unit.

The Carriage House now offers a warm, inviting interior with flexible seating arrangements for gatherings that range from socializing to interviews and formal training sessions.  Many thanks to our partners at Dolan Construction. 

Reading Eagle Article on the History and Adaptive Reuse of the Carriage House

Read More About This Project on the Big Brothers Big Sisters Website

Big Brothers Big Sisters Carriage House Doors Highlight

Knight's Pub at Stokesay Castle

Erected in 1931 by George Hiester as a honeymoon cottage for his bride, Stokesay Castle was originally designed by Fredrick A. Muhlenberg, the founder of Muhlenberg Greene Architects. The stone building, patterned after a 13th-century English castle, now includes two restaurants and several banquets, and meeting rooms of various sizes.

In order to add a casual dining atmosphere to augment the well-known fine dining available at historic Stokesay Castle, a 3,500-square-foot restaurant/bar addition was created.

The addition was constructed on the site of the original Knight’s Pub, which was an outdoor space only. The design of the addition incorporated traditional architectural styles into a contemporary design that seeks to complement the original structure.

This project allowed the Knight’s Pub to become fully enclosed, providing year-round service with seating for 150 patrons. The window systems slide away fully to maintain the open-air atmosphere of the former all-outdoor original pub.

The new addition of the Knight’s Pub at Stokesay Castle in Reading, Pennsylvania

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.

Reading City Hall Additions and Renovations

Planning, Design, and Construction Administration for the 45,000 sq. ft. addition and extensive renovations to an existing 75,000 sq. ft. City Hall structure. The existing historic building, built in 1908, had undergone its last major renovation in 1928.

The comprehensive renovations were designed to meet the current building code standards requiring all life safety, electrical, plumbing, sprinkler, and HVAC systems to be replaced. Construction phasing was carefully planned to keep all departments of the city government in operation throughout the 2-year construction process. The renovation provided new security features, including audible and visual emergency warning systems.

Read more about the history of The Reading City Hall in the Reading Eagle.

Easton Post Office Window Replacement

The Easton Post Office was constructed in 1910 as a two-story mix of Beaux-Arts and Neoclassical styles with limestone cladding and wood double-hung windows. A later addition, complementing the original style, was built in 1937.  The building is currently located in Easton’s historic district.

Muhlenberg Greene completed a study on the 48 double-hung wood windows, which included an environmental analysis of the lead paint.  We were then commissioned by the US Postal Service to complete the final design for the replacement of the deteriorated windows.  This involved submitting and obtaining a “Certificate of Appropriateness” to the Historic District Commission for review and approval.