TENSER, PHIPPS & LEEPER
Shaler Township, PA

One of the primary challenges of this project was successfully planning the 2-1/2 acre site to accommodate a building of 17,000 square feet and 70 parking spaces, while not overpowering the adjacent residential buildings. There are several components to the solution. The building, which is two stories, has been set 250' back from the main road near the edge of a steep slope that drops off toward the back of the site. The building site was lowered, and the structure was partially set into the grade so that it gives the appearance of a one story building when viewed from a distance. The parking area contains regularly spaced rows of trees to give the appearance of a "parking grove" and it is separated from the access drive so that you can drive to a drop off point without driving through the parking lot. Between the access drive and the parking lot, a pedestrian walkway connects the existing building to the upper level of the new building.

Perfido Weiskopf Architects was responsible for fully programming the space requirements for the project, developed through a series of meetings with a working committee. Based upon that program, the design concept for the building was established consisting of open office work stations located in large "loft-like" spaces that utilize glue-laminated beams and joists that are exposed to view. A major circulation spine runs along one side of that space on both floors, and it contains floor openings on the upper level with intercommunicating stairs. On the other side of the spine are located a series of spaces requiring acoustical privacy such as conference rooms, a few private offices and workrooms.