Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency

The Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency is an independent agency which administers state-funded student loan programs in the Commonwealth. PHEAA required 350,000 square feet to accommodate a flexible configuration of work and support spaces for personnel in 23 departments and to provide offices for executive and administrative staff.

Long and low, rather than predictably towerlike, the shape of the PHEAA building responds to the narrow site and the desire not to dwarf surrounding buildings. Entrances at both ends of the ground floor are marked by tilted steel canopies; a larger canopy and flagpole distinguish the main entrance.

The public aspect of the agency's organization requires open movement to conference and training spaces and easy access to executive and administrative personnel. However, a high degree of security and privacy is necessary for the bulk of the building since nearly all employees routinely deal with confidential financial information. The building's massing is expressive of its hierarchies of circulation and use. A dark blue brick wall, visible from the exterior as well as the interior of the building, echoes the linear quality of the site and articulates the separation of spaces within. The public, executive and administrative functions are housed in front of the wall and face the street while the larger departmental office spaces with secure access are located behind the wall. Large, loft-like floors allow a high degree of flexibility and electronic adaptability to accommodate changing work patterns.

The sixth floor, which houses executive offices and the boardroom, is recessed from the building face to further articulate the breakup of the building's functions and reducing the height of its street face.