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  • Type New Construction
  • Services Architecture, Interiors
  • Size 20,620 SF
  • Budget $9 Million

The Challenge

Focusing on giving teens a touchdown within the downtown of Berwick, Community Strategies Group partnered with Alloy5 to conduct a study on programming a new facility that connects with the history of the town while also creating multi-functional spaces for teens to study, collaborate and socialize. With a site selected in the heart of Berwick, it is important to honor the history and architectural detail of the downtown.

Our Approach

Historically, the corner of West Front Street and South Market Street had a greater density than the current context suggests. We tailored our approach towards this model as a way to activate and rebuild the downtown streetscape. Historical Hotel Morton also provided some other clues. These include: large windows on the street that allow the activity of the ground floor to be transparent to people passing by, as well as variation and pairings of windows marking the upper floors as well as an articulated flat roofline that steps in the form. Variation and pairings of windows mark the upper floors as well as an articulated flat roof line that steps in form. Alloy5 looked to this information to inform our design concept for 100 West Front Street.

Design Solution

The For the Cause Teen Center will occupy the lower level and ground level of the proposed building. The Teen Center will include robust spaces that will augment the types of activities that are currently provided to the youth of Berwick by For the Cause. The lower level consists of 4,674 SF of space and provides spaces for the following programmed activities: Video Game Area, Teen Commons and Snack Bar, Study and Tutoring Space, Recording Studios, Digital and Media Arts Lab, and a Conference Room. County Youth Services will also maintain an office on this level to provide support to the community. The Ground Level consists of 4,163 SF of space and will contain a cafe/retail experience, a commercial kitchen/classroom, and Maker Spaces. The base of the building will activate the Berwick streetscape at the corner of west front and south market streets with vibrant and youthful entrepreneurial spirit.