The Westmoreland Bar Association

The Westmoreland Bar Association, one of Pennsylvania’s oldest and most esteemed legal organizations, faced a critical juncture. Their long-standing home of more than 30 years, a renovated early 20th-century building, could no longer adequately serve the needs of its 500 members. The Association sought a modern, single-level facility that could accommodate its growing membership and project a professional image befitting the 21st century. This ideal space required a spacious meeting room for gatherings of up to 125 people and a convenient location near the county courthouse. While a promising building was identified in 2018, the path to realization presented significant challenges.

Early on, the architect had to determine if the selected building could meet all the Association’s spatial requirements, including a modern aesthetic and a functional layout, and serve multiple purposes and audiences. Renovating an existing building raises numerous uncertainties. Could the existing structure be adapted to accommodate the demands of daily office life and the dynamic needs of large-scale meetings and evening social events? How could the design effectively address this duality and create a space to inspire and serve the Association for many decades?

The solution emerged from a careful study of the promising mid-century building. The design team embarked on an iterative process, exploring how to optimize the existing space while ensuring it met the Association’s unique needs. The result is a thoughtfully designed facility that seamlessly integrates program and aesthetics. A strategically positioned reception area serves as a powerful brand identifier, offering a welcoming entry while providing the staff with a clear view of the surrounding areas for efficient operations.

The facility’s notable space is a versatile training room accommodating large yearly gatherings, weekly education seminars, and smaller training sessions. Equipped with a kitchen and bar area, this space is well-suited for hosting conferences and social events. A private outdoor courtyard offers a welcome respite for member gatherings. The connection between this public space and the private areas is a thick portal that provides a subtle visual cue of entering a different realm.

The design thoughtfully employs a restrained palette of colors and rich materials to distinguish public and private spaces and create a professional and inviting atmosphere. The project aims to deliver a timeless yet forward-looking design that will serve the Westmoreland Bar Association for generations by moving beyond traditional law office stereotypes.

Owner: The Westmoreland Bar Association
Project Size: 4,450 square foot office interiors / exterior alterations
Completed: 02/2021
MEP Engineering Consultant: AJC Professional Services
Structural Engineering Consultant: Anderson Structural Inc.
Contractor: ArTECH Group LLC
Photographer: Skysight Photography
Signage: Blue Sky Sign Company