Category Archives: Communities
Posted in Architecture | Building Systems | Communities | Site Design & Land Development | Transportation by David I. Balzer, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP+ (Project Coordinator - Brand Architecture) on February 1, 2012
Existing Piollet Mansion – 2011
Located at the intersection of Route 6 & 187 in Wysox, PA, the building sits at a key juncture that is heavily used by both local and natural gas truck traffic, making it a prime location. Sure it may be easier and less costly to simply tear it down and start from scratch, but that has never been a realistic option. The building’s history combined with the strong local support to restore it only reinforced Randy’s decision – to save as much as possible without hindering the proposed new store. The challenge then became to balance the restoration with the need to expand and modernize the building, then tie it all together without costing a fortune. Quite a challenge indeed.
But before we got too far, I proposed conducting an Architectural feasibility study which would document the existing conditions and determine what truly could or could not be saved. Randy agreed and a team was sent to perform a detailed building survey, documenting every wall, door, window, structural beam, truss, etc. Many of the original features are intact, but have fallen into disrepair and require considerable restoration. However, the building “shell”, which consists of the masonry bearing walls, foundation, roof & floor systems, is in pretty good shape and can be reused with some structural improvements.
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Posted in Architecture | Communities | Project Management | Site Design & Land Development | Structural Engineering by David I. Balzer, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP+ (Project Coordinator - Brand Architecture) on January 18, 2012
Piollet Mansion, 1950′s
A few months ago Randy Williams, the head of Dandy Mini-marts, came to me and said “I have a really great project for you Dave.” He began to explain how he recently acquired the old Piollet House, a historic Mansion and landmark in Bradford County, PA, and wanted to convert it into a new Dandy store. Dandy is one of our Brand Architecture clients and we’ve worked closely with them on many stores in the past, but none like this. I was pleased that we were given the opportunity, but I also knew the challenges associated with such a big undertaking. However, I shared Randy’s enthusiasm and appreciation towards this historic building and was eager to begin work.
Here’s a little history on the building… > Read the rest of this article
Posted in Architecture | Communities | Current Events | Innovative Solutions | Project Management | Site Design & Land Development | Structural Engineering by David I. Balzer, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP+ (Project Coordinator - Brand Architecture) on December 22, 2011
Recently, we’ve been involved in a unique restoration project in Wysox, PA for Dandy Mini Marts. The project involves the restoration of a local landmark; the old Piollet House. I’ll be devoting a series of upcoming posts that will provide further insight into this exciting project. The following video segment features WVIA’s Bill Kelly interviewing Dandy Mini Marts’ Randy Williams and provides some excellent background on the project. Stay tuned…
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Posted in Communities | Current Events | Employees by Keith Kuzio (CEO) on December 15, 2011 No comments yet | Permalink |
Posted in Architecture | Communities | Innovative Solutions | Stewardship | Sustainable Design | Urban Development by Katrina Endresen (Designer - Brand Architecture) on October 24, 2011
One of LDG’s more recent endeavors, the establishment of its “Brand Architecture” department, has simplified the company’s architectural design goals. Its renewed architectural ambitions now concentrate on prototypical designs while envisioning a greater national reach. As a designer for our Brand Architecture group, I am responsible for the realization of a client’s vision, one that includes the expansion of the client’s brand with respect to its standardized architectural design.
Before becoming a full-time LDG employee, I was a student in Penn State’s Architecture program, which occasionally had guest speakers participate in its annual lecture series. One guest, John Hoke, a PSU Architecture alumnus, now designs for Nike, not a company one would instantly correlate with architecture. Still, his presentation was one of the most exciting and persuasive that I remember seeing as a student. It was not only the speaker’s words of encouragement that are imprinted in my mind but a Nike recycling initiative called “Reuse-a-Shoe” that can, oddly enough, be applicable to the brand architecture objective.
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