Designing cleaner, greener concrete The Polyhedral Structures Laboratory is housed at the Pennovation Center and brings together designers, engineers, and computer scientists to reimagine the built world. Using graphic statics, a method where forces are mapped as lines, they design forms that balance compression and tension. These result in structures that use far fewer materials while remaining strong and efficient.(Image: Eric Sucar) Designing cleaner, greener concrete Penn engineers, materials scientists, and designers have developed a 3D-printed concrete solution based on diatomaceous earth that has enhanced carbon capture, is stronger, and uses fewer materials like cement. 6 min. read
What’s That? The Pyramid at HUP The pyramid in Miller Plaza is often mistaken for a large art installation but instead holds equipment for the Devon MRI Building.nocred What’s That What’s That? The Pyramid at HUP Turning down a hallway at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania reveals a giant red pyramid. It looks like it’s art, but it’s medicine. 2 min. read
At the Venice Biennale, a convergence of innovations in materials, structures, and landscapes Robert Gerard Pietrusko collaborated on the installation ”A Satellite Symphony,” which explores how satellites frame how we understand the Earth itself; the viewing structure is constructed from trees from the Veneto region downed by storms.(Image: Gaia Cambiaggi / Studio Campo) At the Venice Biennale, a convergence of innovations in materials, structures, and landscapes Several Weitzman School of Design faculty and students will exhibit at the Venice Biennale’s 19th International Architecture Exhibition. 3 min. read
Peter Pan CEO offers to turn Roundhouse into a bus terminal depot Penn In the News Philadelphia Inquirer Peter Pan CEO offers to turn Roundhouse into a bus terminal depot David Brownlee of the School of Arts & Sciences comments on the need for an intercity bus terminal in Philadelphia. For dual architecture degree candidate Kelvin Vu, design begins with the body Image: Kait Privitera For dual architecture degree candidate Kelvin Vu, design begins with the body Master of architecture and master of landscape architecture candidate Kelvin Vu, who was a professional dancer before coming to Weitzman, says “dance and landscape design are about change, flux, and dynamism.” 2 min. read Concrete panels as teaching tools, materials testing, and outdoor sculptures Architect Richard Garber created and teaches the graduate course Matter Making and Testing: Designing with Next Generation Precast Concrete.nocred Concrete panels as teaching tools, materials testing, and outdoor sculptures On view outside the Weitzman School of Design are three freestanding concrete panels designed and made by students in a unique graduate seminar that partners with a local concrete-fabrication plant 5 min. read Empowering high school youth through immersive art mentorship Fourth-year students Ejun Mary Hong and Jack Nicholas Roney were awarded a 2025 President’s Engagement Prize to pursue their PIXEL project. The pair will collaborate to bring art mentorship, creative skill-building, and industry networking opportunities to under-resourced high school students in the greater Philadelphia area.nocred Empowering high school youth through immersive art mentorship Penn fourth-years Ejun Mary Hong and Jack Nicholas Roney will use a President’s Engagement Prize to expand their existing initiative dedicated to connecting under-resourced high school students in Philadelphia with art mentorship, creative skill-building, and industry networking opportunities. 6 min. read After $174M building debuts, University of Pennsylvania readies next major project Penn In the News Philadelphia Business Journal After $174M building debuts, University of Pennsylvania readies next major project With the completion of the $173.5 million Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology, Penn is preparing to redevelop the 250,000-square-foot Rittenhouse Laboratory next door, featuring remarks from University Architect Mark Kocent. An artist’s immersion into neuroaesthetics Penn In the News Psychology Today An artist’s immersion into neuroaesthetics Judith Schaechter recounts her experience working on a stained-glass project as artist-in-residence at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, helmed by Anjan Chatterjee of the Perelman School of Medicine. Celebrating the architectural legacy of Penn’s first Black architecture graduate Peter Cook, a descendant of Julian Abele, and Interim Penn President J. Larry Jameson next to a newly unveiled framed portrait of Julian Abele that decorates Eisenlohr Hall. nocred Celebrating the architectural legacy of Penn’s first Black architecture graduate At a gathering at Eisenlohr Hall, a portrait of renowned architect Julian Abele and a series of his paintings were unveiled, formally recognizing his design contributions to one of campus’ iconic structures. Load More
For dual architecture degree candidate Kelvin Vu, design begins with the body Image: Kait Privitera For dual architecture degree candidate Kelvin Vu, design begins with the body Master of architecture and master of landscape architecture candidate Kelvin Vu, who was a professional dancer before coming to Weitzman, says “dance and landscape design are about change, flux, and dynamism.” 2 min. read
Concrete panels as teaching tools, materials testing, and outdoor sculptures Architect Richard Garber created and teaches the graduate course Matter Making and Testing: Designing with Next Generation Precast Concrete.nocred Concrete panels as teaching tools, materials testing, and outdoor sculptures On view outside the Weitzman School of Design are three freestanding concrete panels designed and made by students in a unique graduate seminar that partners with a local concrete-fabrication plant 5 min. read
Empowering high school youth through immersive art mentorship Fourth-year students Ejun Mary Hong and Jack Nicholas Roney were awarded a 2025 President’s Engagement Prize to pursue their PIXEL project. The pair will collaborate to bring art mentorship, creative skill-building, and industry networking opportunities to under-resourced high school students in the greater Philadelphia area.nocred Empowering high school youth through immersive art mentorship Penn fourth-years Ejun Mary Hong and Jack Nicholas Roney will use a President’s Engagement Prize to expand their existing initiative dedicated to connecting under-resourced high school students in Philadelphia with art mentorship, creative skill-building, and industry networking opportunities. 6 min. read
After $174M building debuts, University of Pennsylvania readies next major project Penn In the News Philadelphia Business Journal After $174M building debuts, University of Pennsylvania readies next major project With the completion of the $173.5 million Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology, Penn is preparing to redevelop the 250,000-square-foot Rittenhouse Laboratory next door, featuring remarks from University Architect Mark Kocent. An artist’s immersion into neuroaesthetics Penn In the News Psychology Today An artist’s immersion into neuroaesthetics Judith Schaechter recounts her experience working on a stained-glass project as artist-in-residence at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, helmed by Anjan Chatterjee of the Perelman School of Medicine. Celebrating the architectural legacy of Penn’s first Black architecture graduate Peter Cook, a descendant of Julian Abele, and Interim Penn President J. Larry Jameson next to a newly unveiled framed portrait of Julian Abele that decorates Eisenlohr Hall. nocred Celebrating the architectural legacy of Penn’s first Black architecture graduate At a gathering at Eisenlohr Hall, a portrait of renowned architect Julian Abele and a series of his paintings were unveiled, formally recognizing his design contributions to one of campus’ iconic structures. Load More
An artist’s immersion into neuroaesthetics Penn In the News Psychology Today An artist’s immersion into neuroaesthetics Judith Schaechter recounts her experience working on a stained-glass project as artist-in-residence at the Penn Center for Neuroaesthetics, helmed by Anjan Chatterjee of the Perelman School of Medicine. Celebrating the architectural legacy of Penn’s first Black architecture graduate Peter Cook, a descendant of Julian Abele, and Interim Penn President J. Larry Jameson next to a newly unveiled framed portrait of Julian Abele that decorates Eisenlohr Hall. nocred Celebrating the architectural legacy of Penn’s first Black architecture graduate At a gathering at Eisenlohr Hall, a portrait of renowned architect Julian Abele and a series of his paintings were unveiled, formally recognizing his design contributions to one of campus’ iconic structures.
Celebrating the architectural legacy of Penn’s first Black architecture graduate Peter Cook, a descendant of Julian Abele, and Interim Penn President J. Larry Jameson next to a newly unveiled framed portrait of Julian Abele that decorates Eisenlohr Hall. nocred Celebrating the architectural legacy of Penn’s first Black architecture graduate At a gathering at Eisenlohr Hall, a portrait of renowned architect Julian Abele and a series of his paintings were unveiled, formally recognizing his design contributions to one of campus’ iconic structures.