Melding the infrastructure needs of a large corporate “home office” with the values of an enduring family-run business culture was the first challenge for our new studio.
This design evolved from a dynamic partnership between our architects and engineers and Sheetz employees, and spurred a vibrant dialogue. Discussion occasionally fueled debate which culminated in consensus… because the dialogue was authentic. Collaboration and camaraderie grew with every step in the design process.
The long axis of the building is sited between two protected wetlands, which provides a pastoral view from the majority of offices. The building’s massing and plan is based on a simple, flexible, rectangular floor plan, reminiscent of the elegant, humble agrarian structures that dot the Pennsylvania landscape. The dining experience is conceived as a lodge, an independent pavilion that extends into the lawn. A large, southern facing glazed porch obscures the boundary between interior and exterior, which encourages people to experience nature during the workday.