The New Science Center is designed as a platform for discovery, organized to activate a vibrant and friendly pedestrian environment. The structure is sympathetic to the original order of the street module, with two distinct wings. The community spaces and shared academic facilities are organized along the south wing. The educational wing along Washington Street houses the science and nursing programs.

The South wing borders the Walnut Street pedestrian mall and is comprised of program space with a high degree of social connection. Common areas open to the pedestrian mall, inviting students to the world of science while engaging the energy and activity of the mall. The massing of the educational wing establishes a spatial boundary for the future outdoor learning laboratory to the west and creates an exterior courtyard to the east. The project’s visual and physical connections between interior and exterior create an environment promoting strong campus and community links, offering innovative new learning opportunities.

The interior spaces provide a platform for discovery, both within and beyond the classroom setting. With changes in teaching strategies, the building program established a need for flexible and improvisational teaching spaces. Defined breakout spaces and expanded corridors provide active and casual interaction among students and faculty. Classrooms offer multiple options for variable teaching strategies; the third floor corner space serves as instruction and student activities. The outdoor observatory provides space for astronomical viewing, outdoor classrooms as well as special events.

The structure will be classified LEED Gold.

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