Onala Recovery Center - R3A Architecture

Founded in 1952, the Onala Recovery Center is a local nonprofit organization that serves the greater Pittsburgh area as a safe haven for community members that are struggling with substance abuse. Their mission is to offer an environment of recovery from alcohol, drug and other addictions through education, social interaction and fellowship. To this end, the intention of their facility is to provide a safe, peer pressure free environment where they deliver support and resources to assist with substance abuse and addiction recovery.

Completed

2020

Size

8,000 sf.

Location

Pittsburgh, PA

Role

Architect of Record + Interior Architect

Program

Kitchen, dining, large-format meeting spaces, activity spaces, clinical areas, etc.

PROJECT SUMMARY

R3A teamed with Onala to assist in re-envisioning their existing facilities to better serve the community and support their outreach programs. Primary project objectives included:

Update existing major maintenance shortfalls including a new roof.
Update mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems which no longer could support the functions
Increase square footage to accommodate additional program spaces
Enhance the street presence by re-cladding the entire façade.

ZONING CHALLENGES

Given that the existing building was “hemmed” in on all four sides due to zoning code restrictions, the solution for this design challenge was to build vertically. A 2700 square foot addition was constructed on top of the existing building which contained their new operations offices, a conference room, support spaces, kitchenette and new program meeting room.

FAÇADE RENEWAL

Doubling as a means of egress, the third floor addition also included a balcony which allows staff and community members the opportunity to meet outside. To improve accessibility an elevator tower was also constructed that connected all three floors of the facility. Cladding included a durable aluminum composite panel and a synthetic wood plank material to offer a sense of warmth along the entry façade.