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The Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce recently partnered with Mowery to complete the renovation of their new location in Carlisle’s Swarner Mansion. This building provides the Chamber with ample office space for staff as well as networking and educational events for the community. Plus, being located directly beside I-81 on Hanover Street helps to improve the Chamber’s visibility and accessibility for its members.
Design details make all the difference
The Chamber’s vision was to bring the building back to its 1907 roots. Mowery’s Director of Design Steve Knaub worked diligently to maintain and highlight the building’s best features while keepign the mansion’s original character including:
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Upon entry, a large fluted globe light fixture reminiscent of the era in which the mansion was built greets the guests
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Half-moon dome ceilings were painted a historic sky blue
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Wall colors were chosen from preservation paint palettes
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Door hardware and light fixtures were purchased from companies that design and create items specifically for older buildings
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Any removed trim was saved and reused where new doorway openings were built
During planning, Mowery also considered how the Chamber intended to use the space and developed ways to save space and maximize functionality. Because the Chamber hosts events for their members and the community, the conference room would be a highly used space. Mowery recommended opting out of a separate serving room and instead, incorporating a built-in serving area within the existing window bay, allowing for the new conference room to be larger by extending the entire length of what was previously a conference room and an office.
Preserving the past
Mowery’s Special Projects Group Site Superintendent Nathan Sholley worked diligently to ensure renovations were completed while maintaining the building’s integrity.
“We tried to keep the design features true to a building of that time,” stated Sholley. “For example, instead of getting rid of the pocket door wall altogether, we left short walls sticking out so that the space still kept the character of an older building with smaller rooms, instead of opening it completely in to one large rectangular room. We also kept and restored the old parquet floor-which was a unique feature for the building.”
The Mowery team was aware of how special the Swarner Mansion is to residents in the Carlisle area. It was important to the team to preserve the history of this building as it moved on to serve a new purpose in the community.
Cool Fact: During the renovation, Mowery uncovered shingles that were signed and dated by a Carlisle carpenter who worked on the house in 1907. Special Projects Group Superintendent Nate Sholley saved them and built a frame for them out of original trim from the house. It was then presented to the Carlisle Area Chamber of Commerce as a congratulatory office warming gift.
At Mowery we are committed to providing clients with a remarkable experience. Learn more about our preconstruction and construction process by reading about Mowery’s Partner Program.
Want to learn more about Mowery’s historic renovation process or projects? Contact us today!
