“Selecting Jerdon Construction and 4/4 Architecture was a no-brainer for me” – David Weinstein, President of Sunburst Property Management
4/4 FAST FACTS
| Construction Type: | CMU / Steel Frame |
| Use: | Mixed-Use, Lite Industrial, Business |
| Location: | Allentown, PA |
| Team: | Sunburst Property Management, Jerdon Construction |
In 2023, Sunburst Property Management embarked on Green Hills III, a commercial design project at the Green Hills Commerce Center. The project was a collaborative construction with Jerdon Construction and 4/4 Architecture to accommodate evolving tenant needs and expand the existing complex.
Jerdon Construction, a longtime tenant of more than 10 years, had outgrown its space and approached Sunburst about expanding. This led to the design and construction of a new building within the complex.
Challenges and Requirements
- Land development process: Adhere to permit regulations, Township ordinances, and environmental requirements.
- Sidewalk ordinance: Develop an approach to ensure pedestrian access throughout the complex and to nearby amenities.
- Tenant needs: Accommodate Jerdon Construction’s growing team in the fit-out.
- Design coordination: Work through an iterative process between builder and architect to refine the design, representing a design/build collaborative construction.
- Future flexibility: Plan for a building that can accommodate multiple tenants.
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.
APPROACH
- Collaborative effort: Green Hills III emerged from collaborative construction between Sunburst, Jerdon, and 4/4.
- Design-build process: Jerdon led the initial design process and tenant fit-out, working closely with 4/4 Architecture.
- Architectural translation: 4/4 Architecture translated the design into drawings to enable informed decisions.
- Code and design insight: Provided input on code compliance and design recommendations that improved the end result.
- Natural light strategy: Incorporated additional windows and vision panels to maximize access to natural light and improve occupant well-being and productivity.
One recommendation from Jerdon Construction for the fit-out was to incorporate additional windows and vision panels, which fosters a sense of connection throughout the building and to the outdoors, and also improves occupants’ well-being and productivity.
RESULTS
- Completed in 2023 as a design/build project.
- Constructed an 11,200-square-foot office building with CMU, steel bar joists, metal decking, an EPDM roof, and a split-face block finish.
- Designed the building to accommodate up to six tenants, though it currently houses two.
- Included infrastructure to support future subdivision, minimizing future costs if tenants change.
- Completed tenant fit-outs simultaneously with the building shell to accommodate relocations.
A strategic feature of the Green Hills III building is that the building’s design can accommodate up to six tenants, so that future tenants may call Green Hills III home in addition to Jerdon.
Want to learn more about the Green Hills III? Read our blog post linked above for more details, plus perspectives from the client and project team.
“ Our new office is going to serve our team well for a long time to come… 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.” – Ron Jerdon, President of Jerdon Construction
