SAGE Project, JuxtaHub named to LVB’s Top Projects of 2024

Our team was honored to accept a Lehigh Valley Business’ Top Projects Award for JuxtaHub with MKSD Architects.

We couldn’t be more excited to spread the buzz about JuxtaHub- a multidisciplinary arts organization focusing not only on the traditional arts, but also incorporating technology, woodworking, dance, and 3D printing into their art portfolio. JuxtaHub does not solely focus on the art itself or the making, but rather in teaching the arts with classroom space- creating a community driven organization and bringing the love of art to the Lehigh Valley!

Original Article: Lehigh Valley Business

Thursday, 03/13/2025

In 2024, the Lehigh Valley continued its trend of growing by leaps and bounds.

From Lower Macungie to Upper Nazareth, from North Whitehall to Lower Saucon – the signs are everywhere. Townhouse communities springing up in the suburbs, entertainment and destination venues helping to revitalize downtowns, and warehouses off I-78, Route 222 and Route 33 bringing jobs to thousands.

Despite higher interest rates and supply chain and workforce issues, local realtors, developers, engineers and contractors have been busy with new construction. The high demand has also sent many in the direction repurposing or refurbishing older buildings to accommodate the growing demand.

We at Lehigh Valley Business celebrate and honor those who have devoted their time, skills, money and energies to helping the region grow with our Real Estate and Development Summit and Top Projects Awards. Presented within these pages are the winners of our Top Projects Awards.

There are projects of varying sizes and scopes. There’s the hospital built from scratch, a renovated historic bank and car dealership, a refurbished city park, in addition to many other projects. We hope you enjoy learning something about the companies, and people, behind these projects.

Finally, we wish to thank all our sponsors; Major sponsor, Greater Lehigh Valley Realtors; Reception sponsor, Gross McGinley LLP; Experience sponsors, City Center Group, Fitzpatrick, Lentz & Bubba, and USA Architects; Supporting sponsors, Boyle Construction, Lehigh Valley Health Network, a part of Jefferson Health and Members First Credit Union; and all of our Celebration sponsors.

—Ernie Long Editor, Lehigh Valley Business

Juxtahub Phase 1
The Juxtahub Phase 1 project encompasses a 22,000-square-foot renovation transforming existing studio, classroom and maker space into a vibrant arts education hub. The first floor features a new main gallery corridor, alongside reconfigured classroom space and woodshop with updated finishes, lighting and mechanical systems. New restrooms and an elevator were added to provide accessible travel between floors.
The second floor houses 23 new studio spaces for artists, complemented by an artist cleanup room and restrooms. The design team navigated several structural challenges, including the building’s location over a culvert, which required careful planning for under-slab utilities and elevator shaft placement. Limited ceiling height on the second floor led to creative solutions, with exposed structural elements incorporated throughout studios along the exterior wall, corridors and main gallery space. For internal second-floor studios, the team adjusted ductwork dimensions to maximize ceiling height.

As a multidisciplinary arts organization, Juxtahub integrates technology, woodworking, dance and 3D printing into its programming. The facility emphasizes arts education and community engagement through dedicated classroom spaces.

The organization prioritized sustainability by choosing renovation over new construction, minimizing earth disturbance and material usage. The design embraces the building’s industrial character through a limited material palette and exposed structural elements, reducing the project’s carbon footprint while creating an authentic environment for artistic expression.