Historic Restoration Project Awarded to Bernardon Haber Holloway

November 2004 - The Old State House, Delaware's first Capitol Building, will soon undergo rejuvenation with help from Bernardon Haber Holloway.

Bernardon Haber Holloway will provide architectural design services to implement the restoration of the exterior of the building including the cupola, balustrades and windows. Additionally, the restoration and renovation of the interior and an upgrade of the building's mechanical / electrical systems is planned.

Working on the project with Bernardon Haber Holloway are Frens and Frens, LLC Restoration Architects, structural engineer O'Donnell Naccarato & MacIntosh and mechanical and electrical engineer Brinjac Engineering, Inc.

According to Bill Holloway of Bernardon Haber Holloway, the team has successfully collaborated on other historical renovation and restoration projects. "Our team understands the challenges and the sensitivity of renovating and restoring historical structures. We have developed a method of understanding the goals, defining the strategy, and providing the insight to successfully preserve and restore historical structures that define the history of the State of Delaware."

Originally built in 1787, The Old State House was subsequently renovated/modernized in 1873 and 1909. In the 1970's, the building was substantially restored as part of the State's Bicentennial celebration. Today, the Old State House is the second oldest State House in continuous use in the Country, and contains the Governor's presentation and ceremonial office. As one of eight state-administered museums, visitors can tour Delaware's symbolic capitol and view the 18th century courtroom and legislative chambers while an historic interpreter recounts documented stories of famous trials and issues of everyday people who were affected by Delaware government or society in general.

Art Bernardon Named "Best Of"

July 2004 - In a Reader's Choice poll, Delaware Today magazine named Art Bernardon "Best Architect" in its 16th annual issue of Best of Delaware. Following a 16 year tradition, Delaware Today hosted a party on the evening of July 22 at The Wyndham Hotel in downtown Wilmington where the winners were given the opportunity showcase their wares.

Arthur A. Bernardon, AIA, principal and founder of Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects PC, was also recently recognized by the Chester County Economic Development Council (CCEDC) as the recipient of the prestigious Paradigm Award. The award is given to an individual who has been successful in starting and operating a business in Chester County, and who is recognized as a model for other entrepreneurs.

Bernardon Haber Holloway and Willow Valley Team at Annual PANPHA Conference

June 2004 - Steven Brown, AIA, Associate with Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects PC in conjunction with Kimberly Miller, Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Willow Valley Retirement Communities recently spoke at the 2004 Annual Conference of the Pennsylvania Association of Non-Profit Homes for the Aging (PANPHA) at the HERSHEY Lodge & Convention Center in Hershey, PA. The educational session entitled, Enriching Mind, Body and Spirit Through Collaborative Design, discussed such topics as approaches, considerations and tools for developing unique, exciting facility solutions to meet the changing needs and desires of our aging population. The educational session highlighted, as a case study, the recently completed Willow Valley Cultural Center.

"The profile of today's seniors and the seniors of tomorrow are changing," said Steve Brown. "They are more active, entering retirement communities at a younger age and as a result are demanding a different variety of services than ever before. We were excited at the opportunity to speak at this year's PANPHA conference and share with its membership the success of the Willow Valley Cultural Center."

Located in Willow Street, PA, the 82,000 SF Cultural Center serves three surrounding continuing care retirement communities and two large independent living facilities, each owned and managed by Willow Valley Retirement Communities.

"The Cultural Center has successfully created a new and exciting environment for our residents," says Kim Miller of Willow Valley. "Residents can be participants or patrons of the arts, express themselves or simply relax in good company. The market is constantly changing and it's our responsibility to stay abreast of what our residents want. The Cultural Center demonstrates that traditional 'senior centers' are a place of the past. Today, we provide a place that is meant to nurture and celebrate the convergence of mind, body and spirit."

Bernardon Haber Holloway Designs Award-Winning Cultural Center For Willow Valley

March 2004 - The new Cultural Center for Willow Valley Retirement Communities, designed by Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects PC, was recently recognized by the National Chapter of the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC).

During the ABC's recent annual convention in Hawaii, 43 projects nation-wide were recognized with the ABC's highest honor, the first place "Eagle" award. The trend setting Cultural Center, located in Willow Street, PA, received an Eagle award in the Commercial $5-$10 million category.

Designed by Bernardon Haber Holloway and constructed by Paul Risk Associates, Inc. of Quarryville, PA, the facility is a "stand alone" two level, 82,000 SF building. It serves the surrounding three continuing care retirement communities and two large independent living facilities each owned and managed by Willow Valley Retirement Communities.

The Cultural Center offers a broad range of amenities that promotes the well being of the residents of Willow Valley by encouraging interaction and participation while enhancing physical and mental stimulation. Residents can be participants or patrons of the arts, join a regimented exercise class or simply relax in good company.

The Cultural Center is both elegant and functional. The baroque design features a brick and cast stone facade accented by dramatic two-story arched windows that offer commanding views of the valleys and allows for natural light to filter throughout.

The two interior levels of the building are very different and are accessed by separate entrances. The lower or "informal" level provides a full a range of activities and amenities including a natatorium with two pools, fitness center with perimeter jogging track, the Vitality Café and lounge that serves health-conscious foods and snacks, day spa, physical therapy suite, and an aerobics room. The colors are bright and vibrant. The furnishings and fixtures are contemporary.

In contrast, the upper or "formal" level is very traditional. The interiors are elegantly trimmed with rich mahogany. The large expanse of space is instrumental in offering the residents areas to interact and socialize. Whether attending a concert in the 500-seat recital hall or attending a formal dining affair in the elegantly designed 240 person banquet room, residents are offered a range of cultural experiences through music, art and literature. The Cultural Center has also been recently recognized by the Keystone Chapter of the ABC, the Design-Build Institute of America for "Recognizing Efficiency in Design/Build", and by The American Institute of Architects' Design for Aging Knowledge Community.

Bernardon Haber Holloway Relocates to New Space to Maximize Creative Environment

February 2004 - Reflecting a high level of "design consciousness," Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects PC has relocated its corporate headquarters to a new office space designed to maximize the creativity of its staff of 36 in Kennett Square. The new office is located in the Business Complex of Longwood Corporate Center South in Kennett Square, PA.

"After 14 years in the same location we were presented with the opportunity of moving into a new building," said Art Bernardon, founder of the 30 year old firm. "Our new office is contemporary yet traditional, visually displaying to our clients the broad array of our artistic design capabilities." The new 8,100 SF office is a design collaboration between the architects of Bernardon Haber Holloway and its affiliate interior design firm, BHH Tait Interiors LLC.

The interior space can be perceived as two very distinct offices rather than one. Clients are greeted in the transitional lobby by a cherry wood wall gallery, which leads to an open and airy studio area. The studio area features details that exemplify the latest innovations in office design which help to foster a creative design climate. Such elements include an open ceiling exposing the mechanical structure of the building, systems furniture, pendant lighting fixtures and a contemporary color scheme of red, gold, green and purple.

"Designing for a group of your colleagues and peers is always exciting," said Robin Tait, managing principal of BHH Tait Interiors. "This collaboration is just another example of how well architects and interior designers can work together to create office environments that represent the personalities and professional needs of our clients."

Also designed by Bernardon Haber Holloway, the new 28,700 SF, two-level building complements the other buildings in the business complex.

Bernardon Haber Holloway Helps Restore Historic Delaware Academy of Medicine

January 2004 - The historic Delaware Academy of Medicine building has recently undergone extensive renovations with the assistance of Bernardon Haber Holloway Architects PC of Wilmington, DE.

The original 6,900 SF building, built in 1816, was located at Sixth and Market Streets in downtown Wilmington where it was once home to the National Bank of Delaware. In 1931, it was disassembled, moved and reassembled brick-by-brick to its current location at 1925 Lovering Avenue in Wilmington. The building, which was subsequently expanded, was home to the Delaware Academy of Medicine for nearly 70 years. It was recently listed on the National Register of Historic Places by the National Park Service.

In December 2002, the building was sold to the Wilmington law firm of Gordon Fournaris & Mammarella.

Selected as construction managers, Builders & Managers, Inc. retained Bernardon Haber Holloway to assist in the goal of historically preserving the building while renovating the interior to accommodate the growing needs of GF&M.

"We chose Bernardon for their expertise and knowledge in restoring and renovating historic structures," said Richard Stat of Builders & Managers. "They shared our vision of preserving this building from further deterioration."

Exterior restoration included the repair and replacement of windows, repair of the roof structure, and cleaning and repointing of the brick.

The original 1816 portion of the building serves as the reception area and conference rooms for GF&M which showcase newly restored crown molding, cornices, marble baseboards and wood floors. Under the terms of the sale agreement, the Academy of Medicine is leasing a portion of space on the third floor while the balance of the three-story structure was designed to accommodate private offices, an open office environment and other administrative and operational areas for the law firm. A new open stair was built to access the first and second floors.