Designed as a corporate training and service facility that hosts an internationally recognized company, the Lititz Watch Technicum is truly a showpiece of creativity and ingenuity.

In 1998, planning began for the Lititz Watch Technicum. Some of the reasons Lititz, Pennsylvania was selected as the location for the project are the strong connection to the Borough, the small town- or village-feel of the Borough of Lititz, and the history of watch-making in the area.

Again, the use of hardscape elements enabled the design team to achieve the required results, using traditional forms and materials, and reinterpreting them for this 21st century facility.

Site availability in Lititz was a challenge that was later turned into an opportunity and had a definite impact on later site development.

In time, the specific site for the project, on the very northern edge of the borough, allowed the building and surrounding property to act as a gateway to those traveling into the Borough from the north.

The location of the Watch Technicum sits on a very tight site. The hardscape elements allowed the designers to accommodate a growing program – on the same tight site – while supporting the original goals; providing elements of elegance, durability, and craftsmanship. Without the separation provided by the walls, it would have been difficult to achieve the entire program on this site. The walls also help to anchor the building to the site.

The ultimate plan for the site came together and included:

• The use of stone walls to create a backbone or framework on the site, tying the building to the site and creating and edge along the street.

• Creating interesting, separate spaces including the water pool, the fountain, the dining terrace, and the perennial gardens.

• Using elements already evident in the Lititz community to tie the new project to the existing community. The two main elements were stone and water, prominent in the downtown area of the borough as well as the Lititz Springs Park. In addition, the incorporation of water features provided a secondary function – a sound barrier between the road with its accompanying road noise and the building and outdoor spaces.

• Parking accomm-odations in the rear, surrounded by stone walls and softened with landscaping. Instead of approaching the parking area as a mere functional space, time and attention were spent to incorporate the parking area into the overall site design. Hardscape elements including Belgian block curbing and landscape elements were used to soften and enhance this area.
• A refuse building, disguised as a small outbuilding. This small utility/maintenance building was situated to look like a spring house overlooking the pond, complete with climbing, flowering vines on the attached trellis structure.

A final program element was the elaborate garden areas that where specified to provide respite for the workers and students in the watch facility.

Also of interest, was the emphasis placed on planting design and selection of plant material that provided seasonal interest and included:

• 10" caliper Beech tree at the pond.

• 7" caliper Zelkovas that sit close to the main entrance.

• 4" caliper Honey Locusts on the dining terrace.

• More than 50,000 bulbs planted throughout the site.

The lighting on the site was introduced to wash the stone walls and provide intriguing shadows. Additional down-lighting or moon-scaping was added for extra interest at night.

Like the watches that are being assembled and repaired inside the facility – beautiful on the outside, but also intricately designed, functional time pieces on the inside – design and functionality merge on-site through underground storm water. The underground storm water detention is incorporated with the system of above ground water features. Although you might expect that the pond was installed with a dual purpose, the pond is merely for aesthetic appeal; storm water detention is handled completely underground. Overflow from the pond runs into a weir built into the side of the terrace. Underneath the terrace are two inlets that allow the water to flow into the underground detention system comprised of a series of 54" pipes. Only the weir is visible above ground.

Surrounded by a lush perennial garden and the rustic stone walls, the site displays a comfortable and inviting atmosphere rarely seen in a corporate facility. The entire site has become a strong entrance piece to the historic Lititz community.

Jane F. Deel, MBA is the Marketing Manager at Derck & Edson Associates, LLP