February 26, 2015
Source/HWKN
An illustration provided by HWKN shows the design of the proposed Pennovation Center at the University of Pennsylvania.
"The Pennovation Center design creates a truly iconic landmark for Penn and will be a dynamic hub for Penn's culture of innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration," Penn President Amy Gutmann said. "The Center is designed to bring together the University's eminent researchers, scientists and students, along with the private sector, to foster creative exploration, entrepreneurship, new alliances, and generate economic development for the region."
The design combines input and expertise from multiple parties who collaborated to develop the architecture, landscape, identity, signage and program.
An existing industrial facility south of the University will be transformed into a focal point for business and innovation, with angular panes of glass illuminated on its northern facade.
Inside, the Pennovation Center will house two floors of co-working space, wet and dry labs with shared equipment, meeting rooms, and social areas including a central bleacher intended for presentations. The third floor will be outfitted for promoting fundamental research and lab-to-market tech transfer in robotics, the internet of things and embedded systems.
A plaza with green infrastructure will surround the Pennovation Center in a design that prepares for future expansions, while an outdoor laboratory will incorporate outdoor aerial and ground robots.
According to the University's website, the first phase of development at the Pennovation Works is $37.5 million, including the Pennovation Center, site landscaping, and infrastructure improvements.
Read the full story here.
