With the plunge of a shovel, Penn Law School Dean Michael Fitts led the groundbreaking ceremony for construction of Golkin Hall on July 22, a new structure that will replace Pepper Hall.

The new brick and stone building will be part of the Law School’s four-building complex and will feature a rooftop garden, state-of-the-art courtroom, 350-seat auditorium and a dramatic new glass entrance.

“It takes us to a new level with scores of new classrooms, offices and study and lounge space, Fitts says. “It will support our vastly expanded academic program not only today, but over the next 20 years.”

The building is named for Penn Law alumnus, donor and Law School Board of Overseers member Perry Golkin and his wife Donna, a Wharton alumna.

Designed by architects at Boston’s Kennedy & Violich, the Golkin building will have three stories on its eastern wing, and two stories with a roof deck on its western wing. It will also be LEED certified—making it one of the first law schools in the country to be designated to meet the environmentally sound building standard. The 18-month project is expected to be complete in January of 2012.

The approximately $30 million project also includes a renovation of the student lounge, and faculty and administration offices.

For more information about the Law School project go to:
/www.law.upenn.edu/about/newbuilding/.