Nittany Mall was looking forward to a major renovation and used the annual THORP competition within the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture for inspiration for their new design. The project was titled "Retail Revolution" and aimed to change the local Nittany Mall from a shopping mall to a lifestyle center. Sustainability was a major aspect of the competition and also of the winning design. The competition was judged by a committee of non-architects from the Nittany Mall as well as local practicing architects and landscape architects, and each team was comprised of one studying architecture and landscape architecture student. Stephanie Brick and her project partner Anil Ocal won first place for their design.

The unique modular design, accented with gardens and green roofs, becomes more than just a highway stop-and-shop: it becomes a destination. The focus of the design was the relation of interior to exterior - specifically relating the mall to Mount Nitany, the presiding natural landmark of State College, Pennsylvania - as much as possible. The shape of the building's floor plans is derived from the shape of Mount Nittany in elevation, and the tiered garden systems throughout the exterior relate to the tiered plant life found on the mountain. The building itself, a modular design featuring cubes that vary in volume and amplitude off the ground, features green roofs to promote sustainability, and also angled roofs to create focused water pools. There is an abundance of interior-exterior gardens that are self-sustaining and partially surrounded by glass, which helps to bring in natural light and experience. The parking lot design features a wetland system in which all of the rain and run-off water from the lots flows into small gardens throughout the site. Through the exterior parking lot wetland system and interior wetland living machines, 100% of water on-site and in-building is reused.

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