The design to repurpose the historic Salunga Trolley Station as a community coffee shop received two awards from AIA Central Pennsylvania. The Trolley Line Coffee Cafe seamlessly merges the building’s historical significance with its new identity and function as a coffee shop.
Good Design is Good Business Award
This award recognizes projects in which design excellence elevates the benefit of a project to the business, institution, or community which it serves. The Salunga Trolley Station had served as a pivotal hub of community connection. After it was retired as a trolley house, it had been repurposed as a library and then a mail fulfillment center before being left vacant.
The completed restorations and updates preserve the architectural and historical significance of the building while finding new purpose as a coffee house for the Salunga community.
“To me, it is obvious that the client’s desire to honor a building’s past was such a strong program element. Having a clear direction allowed the architect to make the most of the opportunity.” ~Juror Comment
Citation Award
This award is given for projects illustrating a high level of design conceptualization and implementation. The coffee house design reimagines the former trolley station by introducing a new program and modern design elements, revitalizing the building and establishing a brand identity.
Careful consideration was given to the coffee brewing, roasting process, and customer experience within the constrained space. The layered history is articulated through authentic use of original materials and narrative, complemented by harmonious modern elements.
“A great example of the value in reusing “old’ buildings, this coffee shop benefits greatly from the ‘old soul’ of the building’s history.” ~Juror Comment
More project details and photography can be found in our Portfolio.
