Weitz Healthcare Pavilion | Reading Area Community College
RACC trusted Spiezle to reimagine Weitz Hall as a state-of-the-art Healthcare Pavilion, preparing students to serve in healthcare institutions across Berks County, PA and beyond. The comprehensive renovation spanned all five floors, while a ground-floor expansion and new façade elements on the west and south sides created a bold, welcoming entry to both the building and the campus.
supporting future learners
Initially built as a five-story federal office building and later repurposed by RACC for classroom use, this facility has now undergone a dramatic transformation. Spiezle redefined the space as a premier healthcare academic center by converting the four upper floors from classrooms into healthcare-focused environments, including simulation hospital rooms, skills labs, and multiple specialty labs such as a dental assistant lab, a respiratory lab, and a medical lab technician classroom designed to meet specialized lab standards. The simulation rooms feature dedicated control rooms with one-way glass, giving instructors the ability to observe, record, and engage with students in real time.
On the ground floor, a once underutilized exterior space was enclosed and transformed into a welcoming entrance with abundant natural light, featuring new lounge areas, a security desk, and a photo station. Informal gathering and breakout spaces are thoughtfully placed throughout the upper floors to foster connection and student support. A student success center, faculty and administrative offices, general-purpose classrooms, and a variety of support areas round out the program.
To enhance the student experience, biophilic design elements – such as a moss wall, nature-inspired wall coverings, colorful accents, and acoustic ceiling baffles – paired with a curated selection of furnishings, bring a sense of calm and vitality while reflecting a modern healthcare setting.
Spiezle’s team worked with RACC to navigate zoning variances needed to realize this important project for RACC and the broader community. Altogether, the renovated facility provides a fully immersive environment tailored to meet the evolving needs of healthcare education, offering students a place to learn, practice, and thrive.
Location: Reading, PA
Size: 54,450 SF
Services: Architecture; Construction Administration; furniture design; Interior Design; Landscape Architecture
