Commercial Project Archives - 4/4 Architecture Projects

July 25, 2024July 25, 2024

Constructing Connections: Green Hills III Unveils the Art of Collaboration

Introduction

Green Hills III - Commercial Design Project - Building Exterior

In 2023 amidst a landscape of evolving business needs and shifting market dynamics, Sunburst Property Management embarked on a transformative commercial design project: Green Hills III. With a vision to accommodate tenant needs, Sunburst sought to breathe new life into its commercial complex.

“Green Hills III was born out of a necessity to adapt to evolving tenant needs while maximizing the potential of our property assets,” said David Weinstein, President of Sunburst Property Management.

At the heart of this endeavor was the collaboration between Sunburst, Jerdon Construction, and 4/4 Architecture.

The Project

Located on Tilghman Street in Allentown, PA, Green Hills Commerce Center serves as a bustling hub for commercial businesses. The property has slowly expanded over the years and included two buildings, each with flexible office space to accommodate tenants.

Jerdon Construction was a longtime tenant of Green Hills, leasing office space within the complex for more than 10 years. Their company, a commercial construction management firm, was growing significantly; their space no longer accommodated the needs of their team. They approached Sunburst about expanding. Sunburst seized the opportunity, teaming up to design and construct a new building on the complex.

When it came to selecting a team to realize the new commercial design project, Weinstein had no questions about who he would choose. “Selecting Jerdon Construction and 4/4 Architecture was a no-brainer for me,” he said. “I have worked with both firms extensively over my career. We have developed a deep level of trust and I just really enjoy working with them.”

The Design Process

Green Hills III emerged from a collaborative effort between Sunburst, Jerdon, and 4/4. Navigating the intricate land development process was the initial challenge. Sunburst, with a team of engineers, determined the optimal size of the future building while adhering to permit regulations, Township ordinances, and environmental requirements. The team developed creative solutions to overcome obstacles, such as the Township sidewalk ordinance, which required an innovative approach to ensure pedestrian access throughout the complex and to its nearby amenities.

Jerdon, leveraging their construction management expertise, led the initial design process for the building and their tenant fit out. Even though the team had a clear vision for the space, the process required back and forth with the architect. 4/4’s role was not simply to put the design on paper, but to make Jerdon’s vision as clear as possible through drawings, which could then enable more-informed decisions.

“Building is what Jerdon does for a living. They could have selected any architect, so I was proud they selected 4/4 Architecture,” said Gary Lader, Principal of 4/4 Architecture. “We translated their design into reality.”

Ron Jerdon, President of Jerdon Construction, agreed. “4/4 Architecture provided valuable insights into code compliance and shared design recommendations for our fit-out,” he said. “Their suggestions greatly improved the end result.

One of those recommendations was the incorporation of additional windows and vision panels throughout the fit-out. “There are significant benefits to maximizing access to natural light in an office setting,” Lader said. “It not only fosters a sense of connection throughout the building and to the outdoors, but it also improves occupants’ well-being and boosts productivity.”

Green Hills III - Commercial Design Project - Jerdon Office Interior

The Result

The team completed Green Hills III in 2023 via a design/build project approach. The new 11,200-square-foot office building consists of CMU, steel bar joists, metal decking, an EPDM roof, and a split-face block finish.

A strategic feature of the Green Hills III building is that, while there are currently only two tenants, the building’s design can accommodate up to six tenants. “The ability to subdivide the space was a strategy we devised up front,” Jerdon said. “It minimizes any future cost to Sunburst should a tenant decide to leave because the infrastructure to support future tenants is already there.”

Green Hills III currently accommodates two tenants, one of which is Jerdon Construction. The tenant fit-out projects occurred simultaneously with the completion of the building shell. The team expedited materials to accommodate the tenant relocations.

“Our new office is going to serve our team well for a long time to come,” Jerdon said. “We are very happy with how it turned out, and that’s a direct result of the strength of our team and the strength of our relationships with Sunburst and 4/4 Architecture.”

Weinstein emphasized the significance of strategic collaboration in the success of the commercial design project. “While some may measure success by magazine covers or awards, the true success of Green Hills III lies in the smart design decisions made through collaborative efforts,” he said. “Our focus was on crafting a space that serves its purpose now and sets the foundation for years to come. This partnership with Jerdon and 4/4 Architecture exemplifies strategic planning and forward-thinking design, setting a new standard for commercial developments in the area.”

Could you use a design expert to help you achieve your vision? Contact 4/4 at gary@44architecture.com to schedule a consultation today!

November 13, 2021August 9, 2022

Looking at the pandemic through (rose) tinted glasses

Exterior of Made in the Shade — The exterior of Made in the Shade, located in the West Broad Street Commons in Bethlehem, PA.

Introduction

Opening this business was fulfilling a dream, decades in the making.

4/4 Architecture was introduced to Wesley West through our previous collaborations with Austin’s Auto. The proprietor of Austin’s Auto, Nelson Tavarez, recently purchased a commercial property at 1825 West Broad Street in Bethlehem. The building, which housed a Coca-Cola bottling plant from 1942 until the early 1980s, is currently undergoing a $2.5 million renovation in preparation to become a state-of-the-art office complex: the West Broad Street Commons.

West’s business, Made in the Shade Film Pros, was the first new tenant in the complex.

Made in the Shade is the Lehigh Valley’s premier window tint experts, specializing in automotive, commercial, and residential window film applications. Many think of window tinting as being meant strictly for privacy. However, there is film designed for purposes such as blocking UV rays, reducing glare, and preventing break-ins. Among West’s clients are vehicle owners and homeowners, as well as commercial and institutional clients, such as Lehigh University. One of West’s jobs involves installing a decorative frosted film on the offices in Lehigh University’s new Health, Science, and Technology building to add an element of privacy.

Designing the Business

West has decades of experience in the industry, having subcontracted for several automotive tinting shops over the last 20 years. Finally, he decided to venture out and build his own shop.

MITS Sales Counter — 4/4 Architecture suggested an updated location for Made in the Shade’s sales counter, which is located in the lobby of the business.

“Before we swung the first hammer, I had a vision for what I wanted to do,” West said. So, he began designing his ideal shop, incorporating elements from prior shops and making them his own. He developed branding, an interior color scheme, and even preliminary space layouts on his own. Eventually, though, he needed an architect to assist with preparing the official plans. That’s where 4/4 Architecture, and Founder Gary Lader, came into the picture.

The workshop of Made in the Shade — Wesley West, the owner of Made in the Shade, prepares to tint a client’s car in his workshop.

“Gary was easy to work with and extremely efficient. He listened, understood my vision, and made insightful architectural suggestions that supported the design concept,” West said.

In addition to drawing up the plans for the space to ensure feasibility and compliance with code, 4/4 Architecture suggested some adjustments to the floor plan to help with the flow of the overall space. For example, 4/4 proposed moving the location of the sales desk to assist with wayfinding. It also clearly delineates the boundary between public areas and private workspace.

MITS Client Consultation — Wesley West, of Made in the Shade, consults with a client while working on their vehicle.

Location, Location, Location

Aside from fulfilling his dream of opening his own shop, one of West’s favorite parts about the building is the location, which happens to be across the street from his childhood home.

“I spent most of my life looking across the street at the Coca-Cola building. Now, as an adult with a family and business, I look out my window and see my former home. It feels like I’ve come full circle, and I’m proud of what I’ve accomplished,” West said.

Made in the Shade officially opened for business in June of 2021. To learn more, visit their website, www.mitsfilmpros.com. For more on the West Broad Street Commons and its progress, click here.

Paying Client at Sales Counter — A client pays for their tinting services at the Made in the Shade sales counter.

Could you use a design expert to help you build the business of your dreams? Contact us at gary@44architecture.com to schedule a consultation today!

January 20, 2021August 9, 2022

Workplace with Light and Space

office design Bethlehem — Apex Property’s office now features light and space

Apex Management manages both residential and commercial properties and wanted a workplace that featured light and space. Recently, they knew it was time to move out of their previous location. They had been in an older row house in downtown Bethlehem. Fortunately, an opportunity came to relocate their business to the top floor of a commercial office building. The new third floor location was an improvement in many ways. It provided more space to the staff. There are lots of windows that bring in natural light and a sweeping view across Bethlehem towards South Mountain. Plus, the space was pre-furnished with office furniture from a previous tenant. What more was needed? The thing that the space was missing was personality and privacy!

Tracy Yadush, who is the CEO of Apex Management, expressed a list of needs: She wanted her new office suite to offer privacy for meeting with clients and privacy for tenants who frequently stop by to make rent payments. Also, she wanted the space to feel personalized, to be a place that she and her staff could be proud of and enjoy coming to work every day. It was during the innocent pre-Covid days of course, when we got started on the project …

‘What do you want in your workplace?’

When we first met with Tracy, she had already prepared a collage of images that inspired her. (She used a phone app to organize her inspiration that we’d like to start using, too.) These ranged from light fixtures to interior finishes.

The design aesthetic was about funkiness and 1960’s vintage, in a tasteful and subtle way. Think Madmen rather than Batman.

We also understood — light and space mattered to Tracy.

Budget-friendly resources and solutions

In working with Tracy, we determined that there were three key areas in the existing office space that needed definition and different levels of privacy. These included a reception area, a new kitchenette/ staff lounge, and a large conference room. The idea was not to divide up the space with solid partitions, but to use partitions that would allow light to pass through and still create acoustic privacy. However, glass partitions tend to be pricy and specialty translucent glass tends to be even pricier. In addition, glass panels are heavy! Fortunately, we had some good solutions for Tracy and Apex.

To separate the reception area from the open office area, we included a sliding barn door in our plans. We designed large wood frames to hold the panels and a wood frame for the sliding barn door.

Then, one of the resources we like to bring to our projects is a knowledge of materials and fabrication techniques. With an eye towards budget friendly and locally sourced products, we contacted Palram in Kutztown about using their polycarbonate panels.

After comparing different samples with Tracy, we selected the Sunlite White Opal product for the partitions. The panels are very durable structurally, lightweight, offer good light transmittance and have a class A fire performance rating.

Worksplace Light & Space and the Elements of Surprise

There are always some surprises in a design project; we like the surprises to be good ones. Covid wasn’t one of these, and it definitely extended the construction process. On the bright side, we were fortunate to have Quadratus Construction Management of Bethlehem to coordinate the subcontractors involved. One of the nicest surprises was the transformation of the space itself. Now, the translucent panels in their frames cast a special quality of light and give a calming feel to the space. Best of all, the team at Apex are happy with the results and yes, it does feel like home now.

If you’re looking to redesign your workplace, contact us at gary@44architure.com.

September 9, 2020August 9, 2022

Nature At A Busy Crossroads

Using biophilic design to create the “Garden at Austin’s Auto.”

843 West Broad Street, Bethlehem | Client: Nelson Tavarez

Together with Austin’s Auto, 4/4 Architecture proposed a part-sun, west-facing, eco-friendly garden inspired by biophilic design for a busy intersection between the Cities of Bethlehem and Allentown. This is a small, overgrown, and triangular shaped property that our client is purchasing from the City of Bethlehem. The project both supports the human need to relate to nature with the modern built environment and helps the adjacent business thrive. The garden nods to biophilic design, which seeks to increase connections with nature. Such juxtaposition of nature with a busy crossroads highlights the possibilities of unity through diversity in the natural world. Here, the mechanics of automobiles and the fluidity of nature can come together in a positive way.

The Triangular Lot

Other business owners or developers might have eyed the property to buy or demolish. But Austin’s Auto wants to do right by the land. When the owner called us, we sought out Sienna Mae Heath (The Quarantined Gardener). Our client wanted to be a good neighbor. We sensed he would also be interested in developing the landscape into something more than a typical line of evergreens. The outcome is a win-win solution: We listened to our client and then developed a concept using the right team, which also includes Civitas Regio, Civil Engineers.

As a result, the proposed landscape design will both add natural interest to the neighborhood and screen customer parking. Being in a highly visible spot, all those driving through this busy intersection will see a beautiful urban garden.

The Garden Design Plan

Currently the spot is dense with several leaning evergreen trees. Once replanted, The Garden at Austin’s Auto will be able to flourish and add beauty year-round. It will feature annual and perennial blooms alongside fast-growing arborvitae — a beautiful buffer between the cars and the customers.

The landscape design evolved to include a hedge of North Pole Arborvitae (so apt for this gateway to the Christmas City; it grows 10 ft. tall), Panicle Limelight Hydrangea (6-8 ft. tall, and lower-growing Catmint.

Sienna recommends that the Cora Cascada Vinca mix serve as a reliable blooming annual at the feet of this tall hedge. Creeping Phlox groundcover keep the weeds down. On the busier W. Broad streetside, three Mexican Feather Grass plantings (reaching 2 ft. tall) add a soft feel to the fast-growing hedge. As an optional touch, we welcome between the grass both Globemaster Allium (4-5 ft. tall) and Salvia Burgundy Candles (2 ft. fall).

Plus, Sienna adds, the wispy, cool green grass contrasts with the bushy lavender catmint nearby and with the boldly purple salvia through late spring and fall. Allium makes its debut for added playful texture in early June.

Have an unusually shaped lot or looking for creative ways to expand? Interested in biophilic design, which seeks to bring nature into our lives in more and creative ways? Contact us at gary@44architure.com.

August 6, 2020April 1, 2021

Growing a Business

Like a Fine Wine, Growing a Business Takes Time…But Hopefully Not Too Much!

Kevin Danna of Binah Winery worked with 4/4 Architecture to expand his growing business into a new location. — Click on the photo to hear Kevin’s experience in opening Binah Winery’s second location.

Binah Winery | Client Kevin M. Danna

Award-winning winemaker Kevin Danna needed a larger space for his wine-making business. Growing a business in Allentown, he located a good space at Bridgeworks Enterprise Center in Allentown. Recently, from the staging area of his now-open space, Kevin explained his wine-making process: One of the things that differentiates his kosher winery from all others is his use of grapes from the Eastern United States. As a result, his winery is generating interest among those who appreciate good wine. In fact, Binah Winery took home several awards from the American Wine Society.

Expanding to a Second Location

When Kevin first found his new space, in an industrial building operated by the Allentown Economic Development Corporation, it was nearly ready to use. He had a tight timeframe and reached out to 4/4 Architecture about his business’s space needs and the related municipal requirements. It turns out, Gary (4/4’s President) was able to help and Kevin soon opened his doors for business.

“Binah Winery a really cool business and I’m happy for Kevin that he’s opening a second location,” Gary said. “It’s one of my goals to help proprietors get their businesses up and running.”

What a Growing Business Needs from an Architect Varies

What a business needs from an architect varies from one project to another. Some businesses are at the stage that they can invest in a new building that Gary designs from the ground up to reflect who they are. In this case, both the exterior and the interior can express the business’s brand. Plus, the space meets their functional needs and serves as a great place to work. One glance and you understand what this business is about. The owner can take pride in such a project and employees love working there.

But there are many steps that need to happen before a business gets to that point. It starts with the basics. What does the business need in order to perform its core functions? That can mean electrical and plumbing fit outs, like for Binah Winery. Architectural drawings communicate to the city what is planned and to the contractors what needs to be done, how, and where. That protects business owners by ensuring they have a space that supports them in providing a quality product — by way of a smooth workflow in their space. Businesses evolve and we like to be there to help make that happen.

If you are considering the space needs for your new or growing business, contact us at gary@44architecture.com.

July 31, 2020April 1, 2021

It Was ‘Destiny’

When You Open a New Business, Don’t Let the Bumps Knock You Off the Road

New Business - Destiny Nail Salon's grand opening in 2020 — Dina Iley (right) with one of Destiny Nail Salon’s first customers. Dina and husband John Iley had the courage to open a new business in the age of Coronavirus.

Destiny Nail Salon | Clients: Dina and John Iley

Are you getting ready to open a new business? In early 2020, so were Dina and John Iley. For Destiny Nail Salon, Dina had the pedicure chairs all picked out even before she and husband John found a space to open such a new business. She knew the decor, the functional requirements, had chosen the color scheme. She and John, who gets up early for his job each day, felt it would be good for their family and give them flexibility. They had the finances managed down to a T. A family member recommended Gary to Dina and John when they needed an architect. Despite the best made plans, though, the couple still had a few bumps in the road ahead of them because of world events that spring. It’s important not to let those bumps knock you off the road to opening your own business.

What the couple had not anticipated was the local building code requires a special level of ventilation for nail salons. This was news because Dina had worked in many salons and none had special ventilation. They initially wanted to skip it but we connected them with our mechanical engineer to get the job done right, from the start. Anything else means delays, do-overs, and dollars.

As the April 2020 grand opening neared for the new business, so did something else: Coronavirus. The month slated for Destiny Nail Salon to open would go down in history for the pandemic that shut down the economy. The shutdown impacted salons more than most businesses. Most of the population went around for months in need of haircuts and nail care.

By early June, the state of Pennsylvania loosened restrictions, but Dina and John still couldn’t plan their Grand Opening — they didn’t know when the governor would allow salons to open. After that finally happened, on Friday, June 26, John and Dina opened the doors of Destiny Nail Salon at 348 Main Street in Emmaus, phone number 267.977.2429. That morning, they welcomed their first customers.

We visited the following Sunday during the Emmaus Farmer’s Market. The shop faces the Triangle and the sidewalks were full, with people stopping in to find out more. “I didn’t even know there was a nail salon here,” one woman said as she picked up the brochure.

“There wasn’t, until this past Friday!” came the answer. Looking back, what seemed to take forever, generating more than a few sleeplesss nights, now seems to have gone quickly. The results are better than the couple envisioned. But Dina and John knew from the start that it would be — after all, it was Destiny.

If you need design help or construction drawings to turn your dreams into reality, contact us at gary@44architecture.com.