Knowledge Park Renovation at York College
The Knowledge Park renovation reflects a thoughtful transformation on the campus of York College of Pennsylvania. The former Papermill building now serves as a hub for tenants and the surrounding community. Instead of replacing the structure, the project focused on careful adaptation. This approach allowed the building’s purpose to evolve naturally. At the same time, the existing character was respected. Through the Knowledge Park renovation, the space now supports collaboration and creativity. As a result, the building offers offices for rent and shared spaces. These areas encourage connection and daily use. Overall, the project aligns with the college’s long-term campus vision.
Studio Fit-Out Supporting Creative Work
As part of the Knowledge Park renovation, one tenant space was fitted out for WellSpan. The space was designed as a professional studio environment. To support production needs, the first floor emphasizes flexibility. For example, a full cyclorama wall supports clean visual backgrounds. In addition, a pipe grid system supports lighting and audio equipment. This system also allows future adjustments. A large garage door improves access for equipment and props. Meanwhile, soundproof walls and doors help control noise. Together, these features support creative work efficiently. The studio remains flexible without feeling overly complex.
Office Spaces Designed for Daily Use
Above the studio, the second floor was converted into office space. This level supports daily operations and collaboration. The floor includes editing rooms and private offices. Shared workstations support team-based work. In addition, an engineering room includes a dedicated audio area. Conference rooms provide space for meetings and discussions. A break area supports comfort throughout the workday. By balancing shared and focused spaces, the layout supports varied work styles. At the same time, the design allows future adjustments.
Addressing Existing Conditions Thoughtfully
Existing conditions presented challenges during construction. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems required careful coordination. Because of this, the team relied on internal virtual design support. MEP systems were modeled before installation began. This step helped identify conflicts early. As a result, installation progressed with greater clarity. Disruptions were reduced throughout construction. Steady progress supported overall quality and schedule goals.
Supporting the Schedule Through Self-Performed Work
Self-performed work supported progress throughout the Knowledge Park renovation. Several scopes were completed in-house. These included painting, doors, and hardware. As a result of this approach, coordination improved across trades. Schedule efficiency remained a priority. Overall, the project reflects collaboration and practical problem-solving. The completed space supports creative production and professional work. It also strengthens community use. The Knowledge Park renovation stands as a measured example of adaptive reuse.
Expanding Access to Behavioral Health Services
This three-story addition to the existing Southwood Psychiatric Inpatient Hospital adds 66,371 square feet of space and provides 108 new inpatient beds, significantly expanding the facility’s capacity to serve children and adolescents facing behavioral health challenges. In addition to residential and inpatient treatment services, the new space includes a wide variety of recreational amenities designed to support both physical and mental well-being—most notably a full track and basketball court, creating an environment that promotes movement, engagement, and healing.
Navigating Site Challenges
Located in Pittsburgh, PA, this project presented its fair share of site-specific challenges. During early site preparation and grading, our team discovered that the hospital’s primary power line—running from Boyce Plaza Road into the existing facility—was directly beneath the proposed building pad for the new addition. This unexpected obstacle threatened to delay the schedule by approximately six weeks, as relocation of the power line was a prerequisite for continuing with foundation work.
Instead of accepting this delay as inevitable, Warfel’s team proactively evaluated the construction schedule and identified a solution. By re-sequencing the work and creating an access road behind the future building, we were able to pour the slab-on-grade and slab-on-deck on the rear half of the building while steel erection progressed on the front half. This strategic adjustment allowed construction to move forward despite the utility conflict, mitigating the delay and keeping the project aligned with the overall timeline.
Leveraging Prior Experience for Long-Term Success
Drawing on our previous experience with Acadia Healthcare projects, our team brought deep knowledge of the owner’s standards—particularly in building envelope performance. Early in the project, we led a collaborative review of window flashing details with the design team and building envelope consultant. This proactive approach ensures a durable, high-performing building and reinforces our shared commitment to long-term value.
Building for a Better Future
Partnering with Acadia Healthcare on this important facility underscores our dedication to advancing access to behavioral health services that make a lasting difference in the communities we serve.
This joint venture between Warfel Construction and LF Driscoll has expanded healthcare services in Sussex County, Delaware, with the newly completed PAM Health Rehabilitation Hospital Sussex Campus. This two-story facility supports patients recovering from acute illnesses and injuries, providing comprehensive care to help prevent hospital readmission. The hospital’s state-of-the-art design merges advanced technology with compassionate, patient-centered care.
During preconstruction, our teams helped the client and design team mitigate delays, secure approvals, and coordinate utility installations. We leveraged our healthcare expertise throughout construction to address key project elements, ensuring budget and schedule alignment.
On October 3, 2024, we joined PAM Health to celebrate the grand opening, marking our shared commitment to improving community access to quality care.
This facility provides a full spectrum of behavioral health services. With 144 beds, the hospital operates within 12 wings. The hospital includes inpatient adolescent, adult, and geriatric psychiatric care; partial hospitalization; intensive outpatient program services; outpatient counseling; physician professional services and consultation; and chemical dependency treatment.
Designed to service a wide variety of conditions, the patient units consist of noisy and quiet activity rooms, group therapy suites, and exam and consult spaces. Additional patient resources include a dining hall, gymnasium, larger group therapy spaces, a full kitchen, and administrative areas. Outdoor activity yards are located on each patient wing.
This quick renovation project refreshed the interior spaces of the occupied mental health facility. Throughout preconstruction, Warfel demonstrated our capabilities in both technology and estimating. Our Virtual Design & Construction (VDC) team scanned the existing structure, aiding the design team in fast-tracking the design process. Our team also assisted the client in making real-time cost and schedule decisions to stay within budget while developing early procurement packages to create a seamless project delivery.
The project involved the comprehensive demolition of approximately half of the existing emergency department and two other hospital interior spaces to make room for a multi-phased renovation. A new isolated “Behavioral Health Pod” was added, consisting of five patient rooms, a nurse’s station, and a lounge-style waiting area. It also included a new security office, entry vestibule, waiting room, triage, fast-track treatment rooms, staff work rooms, and a dedicated IT/data equipment room.
