RSH Architects was commissioned by the Township of Upper St. Clair to renovate and expand the offices of the municipal government, including management, finance and community development as part of overall Municipal Complex Additions and Alterations. The firm’s space analysis defined opportunities for restructuring and capturing existing areas where non-related functions could be relocated elsewhere in the complex.

Several significant environmental and structural problems had to be resolved prior to reconstruction of interior improvements. The Township independently identified asbestos and removed it prior to renovation construction. Damage caused by prior mine subsidence was also identified, and new floor and masonry construction corrected latent defects. Accessibility for the handicapped was provided throughout the complex.

Access to the public was an important consideration, since several activities required evening meeting facilities, while others required only daytime administrative services. Internal circulation and careful control of shared amenities were considered in the overall planning. Use of contemporary furnishings set against traditional architectural forms added an eclectic grace to the interiors. Lighting was designed to work efficiently with computer displays, while providing quality background light levels. Colors were used to define each department while blending to unify the entire complex.