PHILADELPHIA 鈥� The University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia debuted its new hub for global engagement and initiatives, Perry World House, on Sept. 20. Designed by 1100 Architect based in New York and Frankfurt, Germany, the newly renovated and reimagined space allows affiliates from each of the university鈥檚 12 schools to address international affairs in a cross-disciplinary way, according to a statement by the firm.
Photo Credit: 1100 Architect
Featuring a limestone-clad exterior, the 17,400-square-foot building is designed to accommodate diverse programs with spaces such as classrooms, meeting rooms, common areas, offices and a 50-seat conference room 鈥� all designed to support and encourage interaction. A glass-enclosed atrium, the World Forum, located in the core of the facility serves as a dynamic multi-use event space capable of hosting seminars, lectures and special events, with a capacity of up to 150 seats.
Situated in the heart of the campus and alongside the busy Locust Walk and 38th Street areas, the facility was designed to respond to both the pedestrian/domestic scale to its south and west and to the busy urban scale to its north and east.
The surrounding green space will be used for informal gatherings and as part of the pedestrian experience of the campus, according to a statement by 1100 Architect. Philadelphia-based landscape architecture firm Studio Bryan Hanes designed the outdoor spaces.
Rather than completely demolish and rebuild the original 1850s-era structure 鈥攚hich most recently served as a fraternity house 鈥� 1100 Architect elected to salvage and reconstruct, per historic documentation, a portion of an existing facility. This helps the new building relate to the domestic scale of adjacent campus buildings while also referencing Philadelphia鈥檚 westward expansion during the 19th century, according to a statement by the firm.
On track for LEED Silver certification, the project incorporates many sustainable design features. Architects integrated a substantial amount of natural light and 98 percent of the building鈥檚 occupied spaces offer direct outdoor views. The site鈥檚 stormwater management system is designed to capture 90 percent of the site鈥檚 average annual rainfall, and energy-efficient fixtures and materials with high recycled content are integrated throughout.
鈥淲ith its open and flexible spaces, Perry World House reflects and supports the aims of the institution it houses,” said 1100 Architect founding Principal David Piscuskas, FAIA, in a statement. “We have created an environment, filled with natural light, where different points of view can be discussed in different types of settings. Transparency between spaces reinforces an emphasis on cooperation between academic disciplines and different world views, while the dialogue of a 19th century cottage and a 21st century building gives form to the timelessness of these pursuits.鈥�
Perry World House was established through a gift from Richard C. Perry, a member of the university鈥檚 Board of Trustees, and wife Lisa Perry. Artwork from the couple鈥檚 personal collection is featured throughout the building鈥檚 interior.