CHOR Day Academy

The Children’s Home of Reading’s CHOR Day Academy is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education as a private academic school. The Academy serves children grades five through twelve who have special and alternative education needs that can be better met in an alternative setting.

The renovation to an alternative education center’s existing building was approximately 23,300 square feet, which was increased by a 750-square-foot addition. This addition provides a new flex-space area for different educational programs and provides services in small-group settings. The new layout consists of classrooms, offices, a therapy room, a nurse’s station, a new kitchen and cafeteria, a library, and a computer room.

Mulhenberg Intermediate School Gets a New Building

The C. E. Cole Intermediate School is designed to initially house nine classrooms of grades 5 and ten classrooms of grade 6.  The building was designed for a maximum enrollment of 650 students anticipating thirteen classrooms for each grade level.

The new Intermediate School is located at the site of the former C.E. Cole School buildings.  The new facility reused the existing Gymnasium and Commons building to the fullest extent possible. The existing classroom and administration structures were demolished to allow more concentrated use of the site area.  Use of this site maintains all District facilities on the 100-acre campus.  This site allows for the existing bus circulation for the Elementary Center to be used for Intermediate School students.  The separation of bus access from the parent and public access was maintained by carefully planning the location of the entrances to the building.

The Intermediate School, as with all District buildings, serves community needs.  The gymnasium has long been used by various community groups which have continued to take advantage of the facility.  Public access to the gym and locker rooms was planned to prevent access to other parts of the new facility.  Public use of the Instructional Media Center and Multipurpose room was also planned.

The site provides recess activities for both planned grade levels.  Other educational activities benefit from carefully planning the access and design of outside areas such as the courtyard.  Security and protection of students during outside activities were considered and implemented for all areas designed.

Parking for staff and visitors was incorporated into the existing parking areas along Kutztown Road and lots located on the south and west sides of the gymnasium.  Use of the lots by the gymnasium during the school day was carefully planned so as to not interfere with bus circulation during arrival and dismissal times.

The Wyndcroft School Renovations and Additions

The original historic building was a 1930-circa stone residence, historically called the Pollock Mansion, featuring solid stone exterior walls and a slate roof. The renovation and preservation of this home involved the conversion of the former residence for use as an Early Education Center by the Wyndcroft School.  The interior renovations included the construction of an accessible toilet room on the 1st floor, the construction of student toilet rooms for the classroom areas, and modifications to the 2nd floor for a reception area for the administration offices.  The project includes a new playground for the students in the rear of the site.

Additional alterations include improvements to finishes, the addition of classroom amenities, window replacements, and code-related improvements. The mechanical and electrical systems were all upgraded, including the installation of an automatic sprinkler system for fire suppression. The addition in the rear of the building provides an accessible entrance, along with an elevator for accessibility to the basement, 1st, and 2nd floors, and an exit stair to connect all levels with a protected means of egress.

Private Residence Pool Pavilion

Muhlenberg Greene Architects employed sustainable design techniques in their design of a structure to accommodate the installation of an “Endless Pool.” The project included a study of passive solar heating and cooling utilizing ‘Direct Gain’ system techniques of southern glazing exposures, masonry storage thermal walls, projected overhangs, and careful site placement among many shade trees.

The building materials were chosen based on client preferences for low maintenance and a warm-feeling environment. Materials included renewable strand lumber beams and columns, solid vinyl windows, fiber cement siding, soft textured tiles, and a drainable brick floor for the plant watering area.

Lenape Park Concession Building

Design Development and Construction Drawings for a new concession stand and storage building for a township park.

New electric service was provided to the new building which will also connect to other existing structures.  Water and sewer connections were made to an existing well and to the existing on-site sewage system.

The park serves a wide range of activities and sports for the Township’s recreation associations.  The new structure was designed to integrate into the existing layout of the park and to enhance the image of the park and surrounding structures.

Reading Housing Authority Interior Renovations

Muhlenberg Greene Architects provided design services for the interior renovations and upgrades to five public housing units for the Reading Housing Authority. Facilities covered include Rhodes Apartments, Eisenhower Apartments, Hubert Apartments, Franklin Towers, and Kennedy Building Towers.

The renovations included new VCT flooring, replacing furnishings for common areas, replacing ceilings, upgrading lighting, and new paint finishes. The upgrades provided a new color scheme for common areas, activity rooms, and corridors.

Carole and Ray Neag Center at the Children's Home of Reading

Muhlenberg Greene Architects initiated the planning and programming for the new 72-Resident Treatment Facility at the Children’s Home of Reading as part of a master plan study for the Home’s campus on Centre Avenue. The design and construction of the residential treatment center was the first phase of the plan to be implemented. 

The center consists of a 36,000-square-foot, 3-story, building that houses 72 residents. The facility’s design was developed to support modern concepts for adolescent treatment and create a comfortable residential environment. The spatial arrangement and organization allow flexibility among the different programs to provide services in small group settings while maximizing the efficient use of staff.

The exterior facade design of the Carole & Ray Neag Center was developed to be complementary to the historical qualities of the surrounding neighborhood and maintain the residential context. A priority of the design and planning for the building was to permit flexibility to allow for changes in the program and space needs over time.

Brown Printing Company Additions and Renovations

Brown Printing Company is part of Bertelsmann AG, one of the world’s major international media companies. Production at the East Greenville Division consists of a wide variety of high-quality catalogs plus monthly and weekly periodicals including such well-known titles as Time and Sports Illustrated. The plant operates around the clock, seven days a week, to meet its very demanding production schedules.

Muhlenberg Greene began its association with Brown Printing Company in 1982 with the design of an addition to the original 55,000-square-foot facility. Other additions and renovations have occurred almost continuously since that time for this dynamic company so that today the facility contains some 400,000 square feet of production, warehousing, and administrative spaces.

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.

Utilities Employees Credit Union Corporate Headquarters

Muhlenberg Greene Architects worked with the administrative team for the Utilities Employees Credit Union to study the potential for building an addition to their existing facility.  During the study, it was determined a new facility would be required.  The Credit Union has a unique departmental structure and had rapidly outgrown two previous buildings.  They were looking for a flexible building design that would function well at their current size and be able to accommodate their 10-year growth projection while representing the culture and stability of their business.

The new corporate headquarters office building consists of a two-story building with a partial basement, providing approximately 50,000 square feet of flexible, finished office space. The building design allows for future expansion of the facility if more space is required.

The exterior design features brick and glass. Included in the interior layout is a two-story entry lobby which also houses the tellers’ stations.  Adjacent spaces include a call center, training rooms, private offices, open office areas, a lunch room, two large file vaults, a data center, and an Executive Board Room.

Athletic Fields & Stadium Improvements for the Muhlenberg School District

Muhlenberg Greene Architects provided the planning, design, and construction administration services for the comprehensive upgrade to Muhlenberg School District’s athletic fields. Included in the project was the construction of a new, two-story Field House consisting of a lower level Maintenance facility with upper-level Toilet Rooms, Concession Stand, and Locker Rooms to access the football stadium.

The football stadium was redesigned with new grandstand bleacher seating for 3,200 people, including a new, elevated Press Box with film deck.

The improvements included the reconstruction of the Football Field and the installation of a new All-Weather Running Track. Additional field improvements included new Soccer and Softball Fields with a separate Concession Stand and Toilet Room facility. Other improvements included new field lighting at the stadium, baseball field and soccer field and the construction of a new Storage Building and new Ticket Booths.

Stadium Improvements at Conrad Weiser Area School District

Muhlenberg Greene Architects provided services for design and planning of upgrades to the District’s football stadium. Included in the project were new stadium bleachers for both the home and visitors’ seating with a capacity of 1800 people. The stadium improvements also included the construction of a new 8-lane, 400M, all-weather running track as well as a new event areas for high jump, long jump, and discus. The existing field house was expanded and renovated to provide new toilet facilities, improved concession area and additional storage.

YMCA of Adamstown Additions and Renovations

Planning and design services for an addition to the Adamstown YMCA’s existing facility. The addition and alterations included the construction of a gymnasium space and a new, accessible entrance to the facility, addressing the established and growing indoor recreational needs of the community.

Also included in the renovations were new locker spaces, a multi-purpose/game area, a fitness center/weight room, flexible program/meeting rooms, and improved on-site parking.

Church Renovation Accommodates New Organ

Working closely with the Music & Worship and Property Committees of Saint John’s Lutheran Church, Muhlenberg Greene Architects, Ltd. planned the necessary renovations to the existing Nave balcony area to accommodate the Church’s new Schantz pipe organ and the relocation of the Choir from the Chancel area. The Schantz instrument replaced a Fritzche organ that the church had used since 1957.

Services centered around the coordination of the design and installation of a new pipe organ with the organ builder, which required significant upgrades to the existing electrical service to meet the needs of the new instrument. This upgrade also accommodates adding air conditioning to the sanctuary area in the future.

Additionally, renovations were made to the existing nave balcony area to better accommodate the new Schantz pipe organ and the relocation of the choir from the chancel area. Reconfiguration of the existing balcony to allow the organ console and choir location greater flexibility.

Muhlenberg Greene Architects provided Architectural Planning and Design, and Mechanical/Electrical Engineering services for the building renovations to St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church.

New addition and renovations to St. Michael's

After completing the Master Plan Study for St. Michael’s Church, Muhlenberg Greene Architects was commissioned to provide Architectural, Planning and Design, Site/Civil Engineering, and Mechanical/Electrical Engineering services for the new addition and renovation project.

The site design of the new addition joined together multiple existing levels, including the provision of a connecting breezeway for gathering and circulation between the sanctuary and the new Pastor’s and Administrative offices, additional toilet rooms, and new classrooms. Parking levels were also integrated into the design of the addition.

ADA-compliant toilet room renovations, and upgrades to the daycare facility, the existing classrooms, and the social room, were also part of this project.

Parish House Addition

The Grace Lutheran Church Parish House addition was designed as an infill structure in a street of row houses, which created an appropriate transition between the large-scale elements of the existing church and the smaller scaled details of the adjoining residences.

The Parish House 4,920 square foot addition included a church office, library, classroom/meeting spaces, and conveniently-located restrooms. Muhlenberg Greene Architects provided Architectural, Planning & Design; Structural Engineering; and Mechanical/Electrical Engineering services.

The Wyndcroft School Classroom Renovations

The Wyndcroft School is a private school providing education for Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade. Housing the Lower and Upper Schools (Grades K-8), the main school building of The Wyndcroft School is the largest structure on the campus.

Planning, design, and construction administration services for selective renovations to increase the number of classroom spaces, improve the interior circulation, upgrade the mechanical systems, enlarge four existing classrooms, air condition selected portions of the building, and address necessary code improvements were conducted. The scope of work included interior design services for space planning and finish and color selections.

The project was closely coordinated with the School Administration and Construction manager to meet budget constraints and a limited time frame for construction activities.

Exterior improvements included the replacement of an aluminum entrance, installation of new windows at the new classrooms, library, and computer classroom, partial roof replacement, and the installation of new roof drains.