Architecture | Penn Today

an architectural rendering of a curved hospital entrance with grass and trees

Seeing the connections between health and the built environment

The course New Approaches to an Architecture of Health offers students the chance to explore the role of architecture on health and well-being and how mindful design can be used to create a healthier future.

Design-minded strategies for greener, healthier indoor spaces

Insights on the evolution of modern building design, how to improve ventilation while reducing energy usage, and ways that architects are supporting their communities with simple, design-based solutions.

Architectural rendering of the new Vagelos building on Walnut Street on Penn’s campus.

Penn Trustees approve design for the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology

Additional support from P. Roy Vagelos and Diana T. Vagelos helps to expand the building project which will consolidate the University’s existing and future energy research.

A building at Tuskegee University on a green hill in daylight.

A new initiative to preserve African American civil rights heritage sites

The Center for the Preservation of Civil Rights Sites will be led by Faculty Director Randall Mason, an associate professor in the Graduate Program in Historic Preservation, alongside renowned preservationist Brent Leggs, who is named senior adviser and adjunct associate professor.

a design of a public space in an urban area, marked with summer art class, grafitti wall, and submission and a sign over the city street that says Bushwick Summer Block Party

First-of-its-kind virtual summer design studio for high school students

In a unique partnership, Penn Praxis Design fellows led Fresh Air Everywhere, an intensive seven-week program providing teens with an introduction to design and architecture.

the philadelphia energy solutions refinery with the philadelphia skyline in the background

At the intersection of the built environment, environmental health, and social justice

Junior Kingsley Song and sophomore Sage Basri worked with faculty mentor Franca Trubiano this summer to learn more about the wide-reaching impacts of the Philadelphia Energy Solutions refinery.

Painted facade of One Art building in daylight in West Philadelphia

Bringing green, healing spaces to the streets of West Philadelphia

As part of a Summer Humanities Internship with One Art, rising junior Alice Cochrane helped design a new façade for the “urban eco arts village” and community center.

Zoë Ryan appointed director of the Institute of Contemporary Art

Zoë Ryan has been named as the Daniel W. Dietrich, II Director of the ICA, effective Nov. 5. The announcement was made today by Provost Wendell Pritchett.

designs for drive thru and walk up testing sites in pastel colors

Expressions of color, comfort, and creativity in the fight against COVID-19

With many summer internships disrupted by the pandemic, the Architecture Department at Penn partnered with Surface magazine to create the Summer School at Penn, a month-long virtual lecture series and design competition.

Interior of Fisher Fine Arts building, looking out the window to Locust Walk at the landing of the indoor staircase

A virtual tour of architectural masterpieces

David Brownlee, Frances Shapiro-Weitzenhoffer Professor of 19th Century European Art in the School of Arts and Sciences, leads a virtual tour of some of Penn’s best-known historic buildings.

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