We serve clients by providing creative, healthy, and high-quality design that solves problems, brings joy to its users, and contributes to the greater good.
Tag: Renovation
4/4 Architecture assists clients with the renovation of existing buildings in order to meet their needs and solve design challenges. Renovations can refer to repairs, upgrades, or improvements to a building’s interior, exterior, or both.
Local residence recognized for its design excellence and contribution to Hellertown’s ongoing revitalization
The Story
4/4 Architecture was recognized with an Award of Excellence for the renovations of Hellertown Lofts at the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Eastern Pennsylvania Design Awards on Thursday, December 7 at the Allentown Art Museum.
The Project
Hellertown Lofts is an adaptive reuse of a 120-year-old former auto dealership on Main Street in Hellertown, PA. The project transforms this two-story mixed-use building by creating a residence from an unused warehouse area, thus making a distinctive space that reflects the personality of its owners.
Jurors for the award competition acknowledged the Hellertown Lofts as a significant contributor to Hellertown’s ongoing revitalization. The adaptive reuse creates a unique residential space, allowing its owners to access and contribute to Hellertown’s walkable and growing downtown. “[The project] encourages possibility and optimism within the surrounding community,” the jury comments read.
“Good architectural design happens when we work as a team,” Gary Lader, Principal of 4/4 Architecture, said. “This project showcases how shared exploration and creative freedom between architect and owner can yield exceptional results.”
The Award
The ceremony featured 11 submissions from six Eastern Pennsylvania firms. 4/4 Architecture’s Hellertown Lofts project earned an Award of Excellence, the AIA EPA’s highest honor, in the Residential Architecture category.
The AIA’s Eastern PA Chapter engages leading architects and partners to review and evaluate the annual design submissions. This year’s jurors included Larry Eighmy, Managing Principal for The Stone House Group, Bea Spolidoro, Principal of Fisher ARCHitecture, and Randy Rhoads, Executive Director of Affordable Housing for Cushing Terrell.
The Team
Additional key project team members for the Hellertown Loft project include General Contractor David Yost, and Financial Consultant Howard Lieberman of Business and Community Financing Solutions.
The adaptive reuse of a 120-year-old industrial building into a residential loft.
Introduction
In 2019, Brad and Allison were searching for a building they could repurpose into a bar and bistro. It was a dream for the couple. They were already successful business owners, and Brad was also an expert in the food service industry. Then, COVID hit.
Despite their plans being temporarily shelved, they were still in the habit of spotting “Sale” signs on buildings with potential. Brad noticed one such building in Hellertown. But when they walked in, instead of visualizing their future business, Brad immediately visualized their future home – and a new dream was born.
The Building
The building, a former auto dealership on busy Main Street in Hellertown, PA, is a two-story mixed-use building that is more than 120 years old. The first floor includes 1,500 square feet of retail space, which was previously occupied by Organic Mattress Store, and 1,560 square feet of residential space, which was rented out as an apartment. The second floor included 4,000 square feet of open warehouse space.
The exterior of the Hellertown building
Prior to spotting this diamond in the rough, Allison and Brad were renting a townhome in rural Pennsylvania. It was not a great space for their lifestyle and routines. They had always loved the idea of living in a loft-style home, but never came across the right opportunity. Now, they were determined.
Allison and Brad first approached their financial consultant, Howard Lieberman, to discuss the potential purchase. Howard is a Managing Partner at Business and Community Financing Solutions (BCFSOL). Howard first met Allison when she was working to purchase her salon, providing business financial planning, financing, and ongoing business management consulting services. After determining this property might be a good fit, Howard sent the couple to 4/4 Architecture.
“The loft adaptive reuse of the Hellertown building required significant planning to secure zoning approvals, meet code requirements, and align with Allison and Brad’s vision,” Howard said. “We chose 4/4 Architecture because they are local, the owner is directly involved, and they are hands on.”
4/4 Architecture assisted Allison and Brad with due diligence by surveying the building and conducting a structural review. During this process, 4/4 documented existing conditions to gain a thorough understanding of the property. 4/4 also identified changes necessary to obtain zoning variances to turn the second floor into a residential space, and identified building code provisions that might come into play along the journey.
“Good architectural design happens when we work as a team”
Gary Lader, Principal, 4/4 Architecture
The Vision
Some clients rely heavily on an architect to develop a design concept; others have a well-established vision. During our initial design meetings, 4/4 quickly found that Allison and Brad were the latter type of client. They have a self-described “eclectic taste” in design, appreciating many periods and styles of architectural design; namely, Frank Lloyd Wright, mid-century modern furniture, and modern art.
“Being creative people, we came in with a vision and 4/4 Architecture allowed us to develop it as we imagined it, while protecting the functionality of the design,” Allison said.
Despite the client having a clear picture of the end goal, it still took some exploration to get there. That’s where 4/4’s team shined. They proactively identified potential challenges, proposed workable solutions, and worked in an iterative process to identify the path forward.
“An essential part of what we do as architects is translating a client’s vision into a set of documents that can be realized by a contractor,” Gary explained. “Part of this process is understanding constraints and close coordination with partners.”
One of the primary challenges was streamlining the flow of the loft. In designing the plan, 4/4’s team minimized unnecessary walls by pairing areas that required privacy (bathrooms) with storage areas (closets). They also leveraged visual cues to divide the space without closing it off, such as the industrial shelving to outline the master bedroom, and the island to divide the kitchen from the entertainment area.
“The team helped us make the space more optimal by suggesting storage options and improving the flow,” Allison added.
The Loft Adaptive Reuse
Brad and Allison received their occupancy permit and moved into their loft in October 2022.
What made this renovation process a success is that it was a true partnership. Allison and Brad have a strong eye for style, color, and materials – so 4/4’s team stepped back and gave them the flexibility to bring this creativity to the project. In contrast, the couple had no experience with architecture, renovations, or residential code requirements. 4/4’s team took the lead in helping them leverage the space, meet code, and be conscious of the project budget.
“Good architectural design happens when we work as a team,” Gary said. “4/4’s design approach is fueled by our humanistic philosophy and innate curiosity. We get to know our clients and building users – beyond the functional scope of the building project – and design spaces that respond to their needs in a way that promotes health, joy, and overall well-being.”
While there are still some outstanding tasks, Allison and Brad couldn’t be happier with the results of the loft adaptive reuse so far.
“I would absolutely recommend working with 4/4 Architecture,” Allison said. “They have a lot to offer any project because of their willingness to listen to and work with their clients to achieve the project goals.”
After reviewing entries from several local firms, the 2022 jury presented 4/4 Architecture’s design for ABC’s Mountain View Apartments with the Industry Partner Award. This award recognizes contributions to the built environment through an important partnership of architect and owner. The jury included Frank Grauman, FAIA LEED AP, a Principal at Bohlin Cywinsky Jackson, and Larry Eighmy, Managing Principal and Founder of The Stone House Group.
Mountain View Project & Team
ABC is a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing for low-income families and senior citizens in Northeastern Pennsylvania. After securing a Community Development Block Grant to improve their tenant spaces, ABC approached 4/4 Architecture about designing ADA renovations to two units within the Mountain View building. Those units belonged to tenants, each of whom struggled to navigate their living spaces due to a physical disability.
The goal of this project was to maximize residents’ safety and mobility, while ensuring they could independently and successfully function within their living space.
The jury felt the project was successful in meeting its goal. “The architect took the trouble to develop a deeply personalized understanding of … tenants’ individual needs. By carefully and economically tweaking their apartments, the project clearly makes a huge difference in their lives,” the jury comments read.
The jury also acknowledged ABC, the building owner. “[ABC] is recognized for taking the initiative to seek and provide funding for these essential and very personal requirements.”
Mountain View renovations targeted the entryway, kitchen, and bathrooms as high-impact areas for improvement. In the entryway, the team reconfigured the area to create appropriate clearance space for tenants who use mobility aids. The team lowered countertops in the kitchen, cut out space under the sink for accessibility, and added hardware to cabinetry. In the bathrooms, the design replaced a tub with a walk-in shower with adjustable bench, created clear-floor areas in front of fixtures, and added grab bars.
The exterior of Mountain View Apartments, located in Slatington PA.
PROJECT OVERVIEW
Alliance for Building Communities (ABC) is a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing for low-income families and senior citizens in Northeastern Pennsylvania. After securing a Community Development Block Grant to improve their tenant spaces, ABC approached 4/4 Architecture about designing accessibility renovations for their Mountain View Apartments. The ultimate objective of this accessible design project was to maximize residents’ safety and mobility, while ensuring they could independently and successfully function within their living space.
“We were excited to receive the grant to improve some of our tenant spaces,” Austin Snyder, ABC Facilities Director, said. “Gary and I worked well together, bouncing ideas off one another to come up with the final design. The renovated apartments will improve the lives of the current tenants, as well as any future inhabitants of the space.”
Construction Manager Lewis Ernst of Mohawk Contracting and Development agreed. “Thanks to Gary and 4/4 Architecture’s expertise, we were able to upgrade two affordable apartment units to meet ADA accessibility requirements with limited space and on a limited budget, improving the overall quality of life for the tenants,” he said.
BACKGROUND
ABC’s mission goes far beyond housing those in need. For more than 40 years, ABC has provided resources for residents to make educated choices about their living arrangements, such as financial counselors. ABC owns and manages several large properties throughout the Lehigh Valley; among them are the Mountain View Apartments in Slatington. This apartment complex includes 44 one-bedroom, one-bathroom living units.
After receiving the grant, ABC had the necessary funds to initiate some accessibility and ADA improvements to their tenant spaces. ADA refers to the American with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. In architecture, ADA improvements might look like design that accommodates the safety concerns of seniors, the mobility concerns of someone who uses a wheelchair, or the sensory concerns of a person who is blind or deaf. ABC identified two tenants with the greatest need for these types of improvements, and reached out to 4/4 – in part because of our vast experience successfully designing accessible renovations for clients.
OUR PROCESS
4/4 Architecture began the design process by interviewing tenants about the challenges they face in their current space. The meeting allowed the team to identify opportunities to support the tenants’ well-being and quality of life.
“Early on in the process, I met with Gary to do a walkthrough of my space,” Jonathon Videira said. Videira, an ABC tenant, has Cerebral Palsy and uses a walker. His walker is an important part of his daily life – so much so that he’s had it customized by an auto detailer with a design that reflects his love of cars. “When I would walk into and throughout my apartment before the renovations, my walker would bump into the door frames – damaging the door and the walker. I had nowhere to put my walker that was out of the way.”
First floor tenant Donna Shannon echoed Videira’s concerns. Shannon, who has Muscular Dystrophy and utilizes a motorized wheelchair, shared that her doorframes and walls were “chewed up” from trying to navigate her chair through the narrow spaces. In addition, many spaces in her apartment were simply unusable because she could not properly access them with her chair. Over years of struggling to navigate her space, Shannon developed creative, yet inconvenient, workarounds. “I couldn’t use the sinks in my kitchen or bathroom. I essentially had to parallel park my wheelchair to get close. When I brushed my teeth, I couldn’t reach the sink to spit out my toothpaste. I’d have to hold a cup in my lap, spit into that, and reach forward to pour my cup into the sink.”
Following the walkthroughs and client interviews, 4/4 Architecture worked with engineers at Barry Isett & Associates to design renovations. During the design process, the team offered options to the tenants, who then had a voice in how their space was designed by selecting the design that matched their preferences. In addition to improving accessibility in the kitchens and bathrooms, they widened doorframes and upgraded finishes.
“4/4 developed multiple floor plan options of varying levels of modifications, while maintaining the existing footprints of the units… The selected option was not only compliant with the accessible building codes but was a cost-effective approach allowing for multiple units to be completed using the grant funds available to the client,” said the Project Manager and Engineering Liaison for Barry Isett & Associates.
OUR DESIGN
Renovations reconfigured the entryway to help with access in and out of the unit. The team replaced hardware on the entry door, eliminated a large closet with accordion doors, and replaced it with an open foyer and small closet. Opening this space up created appropriate clearance space for the door. While Videira uses this newfound space to store his walker, Shannon hopes to leverage this area as a creative and welcoming entry nook to hang seasonal decorations, coats, and hats.
The renovated entryway in Videira’s apartment.
Image slider shows the entry closet before the renovations ( image on the left) and after the renovations (image on the right). You can slide the slider back and forth to view the transformation of the space.
According to Shannon, the kitchen renovations have had the most impact on her day-to-day life. “The kitchen accessibility has improved tremendously. A couple of years ago, I had the ability to stand without my chair. With the support of the counters, I could slowly move around the space to make myself a sandwich. Unfortunately, I solely rely on the chair now – so the kitchen was barely usable for me,” Shannon said.
In addition to not being able to access the sink, Shannon shared that the cabinets were also unusable. The upper cabinets were too high to reach. The lower cabinets opened into her chair, and she struggled to reach deep into a cabinet to access what was inside.
4/4’s design also called for lowered countertops and a cut out space under the sink for accessibility. We made the upper cabinets taller and included hardware to make them more accessible, even from a seated position. While not required by ADA, 4/4’s design replaced lower cabinets with drawers and a corner cabinet with a turntable Lazy Susan. Shannon, who previously could not access her cabinets, can now open a drawer or rotate the turntable to view and reach everything within.
“The renovations have made everything so much better,” Shannon said. “On top of it all, it looks beautiful, and it makes you feel proud when you’re living in a nice-looking place.”
The renovated kitchen space includes updated floors and cabinets. The counter and cabinets were lowered. A cut out under the sink allows for accessibility.
Image slider shows the kitchen before the renovations (image on the left) and after the renovations (image on the right). You can slide the slider back and forth to view the transformation of the space.
In the bathroom, the design created appropriate clear-floor areas in front of the fixtures. Prior to the renovations, it was not possible for a wheelchair to navigate past the toilet to access the tub. The team replaced the full-sized tub with a walk-in shower with an adjustable shower head and bench. We added grab bars and towel bars at appropriate heights to ensure the safety and comfort of the residents. It’s Videira’s favorite part of his new space. “The thing that I’m happiest about is the new shower. The tub was really difficult for me to step in and out of, and now I’m able to use my space.”
CONCLUSION
At 4/4 Architecture, our mission is to provide creative, healthy, and high-quality design that solves problems, brings joy to its users, and contributes to the greater good. Serving communities is cornerstone to fully achieving this mission. We strive to contribute to the greater good through designs that truly benefit everyone.
Our process, our services, and our final designs were financially responsible, code-compliant, and accommodated a wide variety of abilities. The team did not assume they knew the answers, but asked and listened. Through the accessible design of their units, residents of Mountain View Apartments are now equipped with the tools they need to navigate their living space.
It doesn’t get much more accessible than that!
ABC Mountain View tenant Jonathon Videira in his renovated kitchen space.
Could you use an expert to help you make your living space more accessible? Contact us at gary@44architecture.com to schedule a consultation today!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
When You Open a New Business, Don’t Let the Bumps Knock You Off the Road
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.
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.
