Recent Awards & Recognition

2024 Awards

AASHE Recognizes Great Cove Solar Facility 

Penn’s power purchase agreement and the development of the Great Cove Solar Facilities, in partnership with AES, was highlighted in the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index (SCI), a publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) that shares impactful higher education initiatives. As the largest solar power project in Pennsylvania, with a capacity of 220 megawatts, Great Cove I and II puts the University of Pennsylvania one massive step closer toward its goal of 100% carbon neutrality by 2042. Penn also ranked #2 in the Food & Dining category for the third year in a row. Access the 2024 Sustainable Campus Index here, and flip to page 57 to see the spotlight on Great Cove. (September 2024)

PA Solar Lodestar award for Great Cove Solar Project 

The PA Solar Center selected Penn to receive its Lodestar Award in September, honoring the university’s solar vision and leadership on their power purchase agreement and the construction of the Great Cove Solar project, in partnership with The AES Corporation. The PA Solar Center created the Lodestar Award program to recognize the inspirational leadership and vision of Pennsylvania-based, non-residential organizations and businesses that have chosen to invest in solar energy. (September 2024) 

Graduate School of Education Expansion and Renovation Awarded LEED Gold

The 2023 Penn Graduate School of Education (GSE) building expansion and renovation project was awarded LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold certification for its sustainable design, construction, and operation. The project includes a welcoming new entrance to connect the existing Graduate School of Education and Stiteler buildings, both originally constructed in the 1960's, as well as water-efficient additions like green roofs and a new courtyard. Read more about this significant achievement. (July 2024)

Denita Henderson Given Trailblazer Award by The Philadelphia Tribune 

Denita Henderson, the Managing Director of  Pennovation Works, was one of 16 women honored as trailblazer by  The Philadelphia Tribune at its 2024 Women of Achievement luncheon “A Salute to African American Women.” The luncheon featured a keynote speech from the president and CEO of the Philadelphia African American Museum, Ashley Jordan, where she emphasized the importance of representation for the next generation of women professionals. Denita has been Managing Director of the Pennovation Center since 2022. Read more about the awards at The Philadelphia Tribune. (May 2024)

Kirsten King Recognized as RealLIST Connector by Technical.ly Philly 

Kirsten King, Associate Director of Engagement and Experience at Pennovation Works, was spotlighted as one of Technical.ly Philly’s 2024 RealLIST Connectors, which recognizes the most connected and community-oriented people in the region’s tech ecosystem. Kirsten brings people together by planning events for both Pennovation and its surrounding Philadelphia community, and she also works with local schools through the org’s YES (Youth Entrepreneurship STEM) Initiative. Learn more about Kirsten, and her award, at Technical.ly Philly. (May 2024) 

Fifteenth year in a Row for Tree Campus Higher Education Honor

For the fifteenth year in a row, Penn has earned Tree Campus Higher Education recognition. Tree Campus Higher Education, an Arbor Day Foundation program formerly referred to as Tree Campus USA, honors colleges and universities and their leaders for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. To obtain this distinction, Penn met the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry required by Tree Campus Higher Education, including establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for your campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance, and the sponsorship of student service learning projects. Read more on the Arbor Day website. (March 2024)

Palestra Honored by Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia 

Penn's recent Palestra window replacement and HVAC upgrade project has been awarded a 2024 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. In 2021, the world-famous arena was enhanced with the installation of new windows and an upgraded ventilation system. The $10M renovation was completed in late summer 2021.

The Preservation Alliance seeks to promote the appreciation, protection, and appropriate use and development of the Philadelphia region's historic buildings, communities, and landscapes. Read more about the prestigious awards on their website. (March 2024)

2023 Awards

Four Penn Projects Honored at AIA's Architectural Excellence Awards

Each year, the Pennsylvania chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) celebrates the best architecture in the state with its Architectural Excellence Awards. In November, four Penn projects received one of the prestigious awards: the Fisher Fine Art Library won the 50 Year/Timeless Architecture Award, the Burk-Bergman Boathouse won the Honor Award for Preservation Architecture; and Gutmann College House won both the Merit Award and Committee on the Environment (COTE) Design Award. The jury which awarded Gutmann College House the COTE award noted: "The building illustrates a holistic design that creates opportunities for community, individuality, and campus pride."

Each award is given in recognition of leadership and positive contributions to a better and more sustainable built environment and advancement of the profession of architecture. Watch the full awards broadcast, or visit AIA Pennsylvania's website to learn more about their mission to support architecture professionals with the statewide community, advocacy, and knowledge to affect positive outcomes through the power of design. (November 2023)

Penn Recognized as Top Performer in the 2023 Sustainable Campus Index

Penn has been recognized as a top performer in the 2023 Sustainable Campus Index, securing the #2 position in the category of Sustainable Food & Dining. The category considers how much of the food procured for Penn's campus is plant-forward, or is certified by a third party to encourage environmentally friendly and humane farming methods, help eliminate unsafe working conditions, and alleviate poverty for farmworkers.

A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 17 impact areas, as measured through the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). Read more about the Sustainable Campus Index, and Penn's accomplishments, on the Penn Sustainability website. (September 2023)

PHL Inno's 2023 Fire Awards

The Philadelphia Business Journal recently announced Pennovation Works as one of the 20 honorees of the Fire Awards, PHL Inno’s premiere awards program. The award showcases the businesses, institutions and individuals driving the region’s innovation scene forward. Learn more about the awards on the Pennovation website. (August 2023)

Pennovation Works Managing Director named a RealLIST Connector Award Winner

In July, Pennovation Works Managing Director Denita Henderson was named a 2023 RealLIST Connector by Technical.ly Philly. The roundup showcased 20 leaders in the Philly Tech ecosystem who are connected and influential in the community.

Denita manages the Pennovation Works startup community and campus, guiding the overall direction and oversight of the 23-acre innovation community. Read more, and see the full list of connectors on the Technical.ly Philly website. (July 2023)

Holman Biotech Commons wins award from American Society of Interior Designers

In early summer, Penn's Holman Biotech Commons won a first place design award at the American Society of Interior Designers', Philadelphia Region of the Interior Design Awards. Holman Biotech Commons, a modern, technologically sophisticated flexible learning facility serving the health and science community at Penn, received an $11.5M renovation in 2021. The space won the first place award for the 30,000 sq. ft. and under in the commercial/educational category. Read more about the award on the IDA website, and about Holman Biotech Commons at Penn Today. (June 2023)

Karoline Prosperi Wins 2023 Supplier Diversity Award

This spring, Karoline Prosperi, FRES’ Senior Procurement Manager, was selected as the winner of Penn’s 2023 Supplier Diversity Impact Award. She was recognized for the work she does to intentionally include diverse suppliers in opportunities with Facilities & Real Estate Services, as well as the effort she takes to successfully grow relationships between diverse suppliers and colleagues within FRES, across Penn, and among regional peers. Karoline was honored by her colleagues for her contributions at the University’s Penn Supplier Diversity Forum & Expo in May. (May 2023)

Three Penn Projects Honored by Preservation Alliance of Philadelphia

Three recent Penn construction projects have been awarded 2023 Grand Jury Awards from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia: the Burk-Bergman Boathouse renovation and addition, repairs to the David Goddard Research Laboratories (Goddard), and the renovation of historic Kelly Writer's House. The Burk-Bergman Boathouse, also known as the Penn Boathouse, project was completed in summer 2022. The primary goal of the renovation project was to restore the original historic boathouse and bolster recruitment for Penn Rowing by creating more usable space, improving accessibility, and providing equal space and accomodations for the men's and women's teams. The Goddard Labs, a National Historic Landmark since 2009, underwent a five-year repair program, concluding in 2023, that addressed brick masonry damage and terra cotta elements on the building's exterior without altering its aesthetic. Kelly Writer's House, built in 1851 and one of the oldest building's on Penn's campus, underwent a renovation beginning in 2019 that modernized the building's systems, technology, and acoustics, adapted the original porch to expand the Arts Cafe, the building's popular event space, and increased ADA accessibility with a new primary entry and ramp.

The Preservation Alliance seeks to promote the appreciation, protection, and appropriate use and development of the Philadelphia region's historic buildings, communities, and landscapes. Read more about the prestigious awards on their website. (March 2023)

University Meeting and Guest House Wins American Institute of Architects New York State Design Award

Penn's University Meeting and Guest House was selected for an award of Merit by the 2022 American Institute of Architects (AIA) New York State Design Awards Jury in early 2023. The Meeting and Guest House is comprised of a pair of Victorian townhouses that in 2020 were transformed into a residential guest space for important visitors to campus, a place for strategic meetings and trustee gatherings, and a venue for special events. Annually since 1968, AIA New York State's Annual Design Awards celebrate local, national and international projects that achieve architectural excellence designed by architects who are licensed and registered in New York State. (January 2023)

2022 Awards

Penn Projects Recognized at 25th Annual Excellence in Construction Awards

Chloe Cerwinka Recognized by Delaware Valley Ornithological Club

In November, the Delaware Valley Ornithological Club awarded FRES Landscape Planner Chloe Cerwinka its Rosalie Edge Conservation Award. Chloe was honored for her work in raising awareness of bird-window collisions and for making the University of Pennsylvania's campus a national model in the creation of bird friendly habitat.

Rosalie Edge was a suffragette and conservationist who founded the Hawk Mountain Sanctuary in Kempton, Pennsylvania. The Delaware Valley Ornithological Club is one of the oldest ornithology organizations in the United States, and has held regular meetings at the Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia for over 125 years. Read more about the club on their website. (November 2022)

Franklin Field Concrete Restoration Recognized by the International Concrete Repair Institute

The Franklin Field Concrete Restoration project, completed in 2021, won an Award of Merit in the Historic category from the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI). The $46.5M project included concrete repairs, followed by cathodic protection of the steel rebar and a new membrane coating to extend the life of the 1922 stadium. The ICRI conducts an awards program each year to honor and recognize outstanding projects in the concrete repair industry, and the formal award presentation honoring all the winners is set for November 8, 2022, during the ICRI 2022 Fall Convention. Read more about historic Franklin Field and the recent concrete restoration on its project page, and read more about ICRI at: http://www.icri.org. (September 2022)

The Rotunda recognized by a grant from the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation

In May, the Rotunda, the arts-and-culture hub managed by FRES, was awarded a $15,000 grant from the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation for its project The Trans and Nonbinary Vocal Workshops. The program is a a creative and affirming place for the transgender and nonbinary community to explore identity through voice and song. Learn more about the program on the Sachs website. (May 2022)

Brick House Sculptor Simone Leigh wins Golden Lion award at Venice Biennale

Simone Leigh, sculptor of Brick House, was awarded the prestigious Golden Lion award at 2022's Venice Biennale, a famous Italian arts exhibition. A copy of Brick House was donated to Penn in 2020, and depicts the giant head of an African-American woman atop a large, rounded mound. It sits at the intersection of 34th and Walnut streets, at the entryway to College Green. Read more about the sculpture and what it represents, in Penn Today. (April 2022)

Penn Procurement Services recognized for Supplier Diversity Efforts

In spring 2022, Penn, along with nine other higher education honorees, was awarded the Jesse L. Moore 2022 Supplier Diversity Award. Lauded for its decades-long commitment to supplier diversity, Penn's recently-launched pilot program extending payment terms to nearly 1,000 of its diverse suppliers was also recognized. Read more about the award, and Penn's history of supporting supplier diversity, on the INSIGHT Into Diversity website. (March 2022).

Penn's renowned Franklin Field has been awarded a 2022 Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. Franklin Field recently underwent a $46.5M concrete restoration project to help extend the life of the stadium, originally built in 1922. The Preservation Alliance seeks to promote the appreciation, protection, and appropriate use and development of the Philadelphia region's historic buildings, communities, and landscapes. Read more about the awards, here. (March 2022).

University Meeting and Guest House Receives Praise

2021 Awards

New College House wins Craftsmanship Award from the GBCA

In December 2021, New College House, the $160M, 448-bed college house which officially welcomed its first residents in September, won an excellence in craftsmanship award for projects over $50M from the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA). The Excellence in Craftsmanship award recognizes a project that has demonstrated exceptional care in detail, utilized new or different materials or technologies, and/or coordinated intricate building techniques. Read more about Penn's thirteenth college house on the New College House project page. (December 2021).

Silverman Hall Classroom Restoration Recognized

The recent renovation of the Silverman Hall classrooms, inside Penn's Carey Law School, has been recognized by architectural organizations across the country. The renovation of the historic rooms, which included restoration of architectural ornamentation on the classroom ceilings and walls, as well as the integration of new technology, was taken on by Philadelphia-based architectural firm VMA. In 2020 and 2021 the project was awarded: the Chicago Athenaeum Museum of Architecture and Design/The European Center for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies, American Architecture Award, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia Grand Jury Award, 2021, the IIDA PA/NJ/DE Chapter, Best in Education/Institutional <30,000sf, 2020, the AIA Philadelphia Chapter Honor Award, Historic Preservation/Adaptive Reuse, 2020, and the AIA Pennsylvania Chapter Design Award Finalist, Historic Preservation, 2020. Read more about the restoration and see photos at Traditional Building. 

(December 2021)

Tangen Hall Wins Merit Award from AIA Philadelphia

The American Institute of Architects' (AIA) Philadelphia chapter awarded Tangen Hall a Merit Award at the 2021 AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Awards. As per the AIA website, a merit award is granted to any project that either lies outside of the other categories or bears an exceptional aspect that the jury feels represents excellence deserving recognition. Tangen Hall, completed in 2020, is Penn's hub for aspiring entrepreneurs and innovators on campus. Read more about Tangen Hall on its project page, and more about the Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Awards on the AIA website. (November 2021)

Recent LEED Recognition for Penn Projects

Five recently completed campus construction projects received LEED recognition in spring and summer of 2021. In May, the renovation of the upper floors of Wharton's Vance Hall was awarded LEED Gold, scoring high points in the Innovation & Location and Transportation categories, particularly for a reduced parking footprint and access to quality transit. Tangen Hall, which houses the University's Venture Lab, was awarded LEED Silver the same month, scoring points for indoor water use reduction. In July, the University Meeting and Guest House, a project that transformed a pair of Walnut Street townhouses into a residential guest space for important visitors to campus, was also awarded LEED Gold, receiving points in the Energy & Atmosphere category. In August, the Penn Museum Phase 1 project was awarded LEED Silver. This restoration of the Harrison auditorium and the Lower Egypt galleries received points for long term commitment to sustainable resources and construction and demolition waste management. And finally, the Academic Research Building, a campus hub designed to promote socializing, group work, and interactive learning, was awarded LEED Gold in September. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. (September 2021)

Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics wins 2021 International Architecture Award

The Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics (PCPSE) won a distinguished International Architecture Award in the Schools and Universities category in August 2021. The International Architecture Awards are selected by the Chicago Athenaeum, which in 2021 chose over 130 of the best-designed buildings and landscapes from around the world as winners. They wrote, of PCPSE: "The PCPSE represents Penn Arts and Sciences’ most ambitious capital project in support of the social sciences in decades. The architecture aims to foster intellectual interaction and collaboration and to marshal interdisciplinary scholarly expertise to address contemporary issues and policies in North America and internationally." Renovated in 2018, the PCPSE brings together the School of Arts & Sciences' strengths in engaged global Social Science research and teaching. (August 2021).

Office of the University Architect team wins inaugural Penn Supplier Diversity Award

Penn Procurement Services recently announced the inaugural recipients of the Penn Supplier Diversity and Economic Inclusion Impact Awards. OUA's Ke Feng, Mark Kocent, Eva Lew, and Jackie Schlindwein received a team award for their choice of a Philadelphia-based, Black-owned Business, Replica Global, to create custom signage to guide the Penn community throughout their return to campus. The recipients were honored for their outstanding contributions in the area of inclusive supplier diversity, and the award was announced at the Penn Supplier Diversity Forum & Expo in July. (July 2021)

Twelfth Year in a Row for Tree Campus USA Honor

For the twelfth year in a row, Penn has been named a Tree Campus USA by the Arbor Day Foundation. The Tree Campus USA program recognizes college and university campuses that effectively manage their campus trees. To continually obtain this distinction, University of Pennsylvania has met the five core standards for sustainable campus forestry required by Tree Campus USA, including establishment of a tree advisory committee, evidence of a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures for its campus tree program, an Arbor Day observance and the sponsorship of student service-learning projects. Visit their website to learn more about the Arbor Day Foundation. (March 2021)

2020 Awards

Richards Medical Research Laboratories receives accolades in 2020

The recently restored and renovated Richards Medical Research Laboratories were recognized in 2020 by both DOCOMOMO US and the American Institute of Architects, Pennsylvania Chapter. Richards Labs received a Citation of Merit from DOCOMOMO US as part of their Modernism in America awards, which "highlight the best in preservation practice by today's architects, designers, preservation professionals, and grassroots advocates. This year's awards recognize model preservation efforts that are meticulous, innovative, and continue to push the preservation field toward more inclusive histories and holistic approaches." Additionally, AIA Pennsylvania awarded Richards an Architectural Excellence Design Honor Award, noting that "The ambitious restoration and renovation project for the buildings included replacement of the exterior glazing and mechanical/electrical systems, and established design and preservation standards for interior renovations. Key to the success of this new program was the removal of wet labs from the buildings and replacement with other medical research labs that require less plumbing and fewer air changes. The renovations have significantly reduced energy usage in the buildings." Read more about the awards on both the DOCOMOMO and AIA websites. (2020)

Penn Meeting and Guest House recognized with Design Award honorable mention

The currently in-construction Penn Meeting and Guest House received an honorable mention in Architect Newspaper's Best of Design Awards' Unbuilt-Education category in December 2020. Read more about the winners and the honorable mentions on their website. (December 2020)

Stemmler Hall wins 2020 Reconstruction Award from Building Design and Construction

Stemmler Hall, part of the Perelman School of Medicine, won a 2020 Reconstruction award from Building Design and Construction (BD&C). Stemmler Hall underwent a large-scale renovation in 2016, which updated its research laboratories and support facilities into modern, high efficient spaces. Selected by a 12-member jury of AEC professionals and BD&C editors, Stemmler was selected as one of sixteen winners and features in the December issue of Building Design and Construction. (November 2020)

Penn recognized as top performer in 2020 Sustainable Campus Index

Penn has been recognized as a top performer in the 2020 Sustainable Campus Index, ranking 7th overall in the area of Diversity and Affordability and 5th overall in the area of Transportation. A publication from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), the Sustainable Campus Index recognizes top-performing sustainable colleges and universities overall and in 17 impact areas, as measured by the Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS). Read more on the Penn Sustainability website. (November 2020)

Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics wins Design Excellence and Service Award

Stemmler Hall Awarded LEED Gold Status

Penn Squash Center Honored with Best Project award from ENR

In August 2020, the Penn Squash Center was selected by ENR as their Mid-Atlantic Best Project in the Sports & Entertainment Category. The ENR Regional Best Projects Awards are a series of special events to celebrate and honor the building teams that created the best projects of 2020 nationwide. Independent panels of local idustry experts from each of ENR's 10 regional editions selected the winning projects using five criteria, including safety, innovation, and teamwork. A major renovation of the Squash Center was completed in 2019, increasing the number of squash courts from 10 to 12 and featuring two new glass exhibition courts. (August 2020)

Richards Medical Research Labs, A&B Towers, Wins 2020 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Award

Richards Medical Research Laboratories, which recently underwent a major restoration and renovation, has won a 2020 Construction - Rehabilitation Award from Preservation Pennsylvania. Dedicated to the protection of historically and architecturally significant places, Preservation Pennsylvania has presented the Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards since 1979 in order to "honor individuals and organizations that exhibit excellence in the field of historic preservation." Designated a National Historic Landmark in 2009, Richards Medical Labs was transformed by the repurposing of obsolete wet labs for "dry" research, office and conference room spaces. The buildings were awarded LEED Gold in June 2019. (February 2020)

2019 Awards

FRES People and Projects Honored at AIA Philadelphia Awards 2019

Both New College House and Richards Medical Research Laboratories were honored at this year's AIA (American Institute of Architects) Philadelphia Awards ceremony. New College House was given a Merit Award in the General Built category, while Richards Medical Labs received a Merit Award in the Historic Preservation/Adaptive Reuse Built category. Additionally, Paul Sehnert was posthumously awarded the Community Design Collaborative's Alan Greenberger Award, which recognizes leaders/volunteers and AIA Members for their commitment and service to the organization's mission. AIA Philadelphia is one of the nation's oldest AIA chapters, and its mission involves "organizing architects in the region for the purpose of advancing their influence in shaping the built environment." The awards were presented at Philadelphia's Fillmore hotel on December 5. (December 2019)

Larry Robbins Recognized by the Design Community in 2019

Larry Robbins House received three distinguished awards in the second half of 2019. The first, a Born award, given by the BORN series, is an international award given in six different creative design fields, including architecture, technology, fashion, sports, and retail. The second, a Design Award of Merit from the Society of the American Registered Architects, was presented at the Society's annual National Design Awards Program, the SARAS. The SARAS annually attract entries from across the country and around the world from individuals, firms, and students of architectures and allied disciplines. Finally, Studio Joseph, the architect behind Larry Robbins House, was given a Gold medal for Architectural Deisgn at the MUSE Design Awards. The MUSE awards honor "those with the ability to see the landscape we live in and shape it to design a better tomorrow." (November 2019)

T.N. Ward Company Wins Construction Excellence Award for Restoration of Perelman School of Medicine

The contractor for the recent restoration of the Perelman School of Medicine has been awarded a Construction Excellence Award from the General Building Contractors Association. The award, for Best Historic Preservation Project, was awarded to T.N. Ward on Thursday, November 21. Read more about the awards here. (November 2019)

Stemmler Hall Recognized as Groundbreaker Award Finalist

Stemmler Hall has been announced as a project finalist for a Groundbreaker Award from Green Building United (former Delaware Valley Green Building Council). Stemmler Hall underwent a complete renovation from 2016-19, in a multi-phased effort that replaced building systems and finishes and transformed Stemmler's research laboratories and support facilities into modern, highly efficient spaces. Of the major infrastructure renovation, Green Building United noted: "Stemmler Hall has risen to be one of the most energy efficient research buildings on Penn's campus. With sustainability in mind, this renovation is in line with Penn's vision and goals as outlined in their Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 3.0." The Groundbreaker Awards recognize and celebrate green building leadership, innovation, and impact in greater Philadelphia, Lehigh Valley, and Delaware. To read more about the awards, visit the Green Building United website. (August 2019)

Larry Robbins House receives an International Design Award from the Chicago Athenaeum

The Chicago Athenaeum and Museum of Architecture and Design, together with the European Centre for Architecture and Art Design, has awarded Larry Robbins House the International Architecture award for 2019. The International Architecture awards are a highly prestigious building awards program that "honor new and cutting-edge design worldwide." Larry Robbins house, the home of Penn's department of Management and Technology, will be honored at their annual symposium in Athens, Greece in September 2019. Read about the International Design Awards on their website, and scroll down to see some of the other awards given to Larry Robbins house over the last two years. (July 2019)

Richards Medical Laboratories, A&B Towers Receives LEED Gold

A major infrastructure renovation to Richards Medical Labs, A&B Towers, funded primarily by Penn's Century Bond program, has received LEED gold status from the U.S. Green Building Council, which awarded points for water use reduction, optimal energy performance, and the use of low-emitting materials, among others. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. (June 2019)

Houston Market Renovation Wins Loyal E. Horton Dining Award

The recent renovation of Houston Market has received a Gold Loyal E. Horton Dining Award from the the National Association of College and University Food Services (NACUFS). The $15M renovation took place over the summer of 2018, and includes revamped food and beverage stations, a brighter, more comfortable and convenient atmosphere to eat and work, and extended hours. The Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards celebrate exemplary menus, presentations, special event planning, and new dining concepts, and provide an avenue for sharing ideas and creative presentations in campus dining services. Established in 1958, the mission of the NACUFS is to support and promote excellence in collegiate dining. (April 2019)

Honors for FRES from Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia has given a Grand Jury Award to Richards Medical Research Lab for its recently completed renovation. The renovation included new lighting, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems, as well as replacement glazing within the existing window frames as part of a larger strategy to improve energy performance and comfort levels within the building. The Richards Research Lab was designated a historical landmark in 2009, and the mission of the Preservation Alliance is to: "actively promote the appreciation, protection, and appropriate use and development of the Philadelphia region's historic buildings, communities, and landscapes."

Additionally, the Preservation Alliance has awarded University Architect - Special Projects, David Hollenberg, the James Biddle Award for lifetime achievement in historic preservation. The awards will be presented at a ceremony in Philadelphia in early June. (March 2019)

Larry Robbins House Recognized by Architecture Press Release

Architecture Press Release (APR) has awarded Larry Robbins House, home of Penn's Department of Management and Technology, a certificate of first award at their 2019 World Architecture and Design Awards. Created to "nurture the appreciation of meaningful architecture in the world and champion its potential for a positive impact on everyday life," the World Architecture and Design Awards are presented each February. See more accolades for Larry Robbins House below ». (February 2019)

2018 Awards

Penn Dental Wins Special Citation From American School & University Magazine

Penn Dental's recently completed Robert Schattner Pavilion and Clinic renovation was awarded a special citation for renovation and modernization from American School & University Magazine. The 16,500 sq.ft Schattner Clinic features a total of 74 dental operatories, including four dedicated to digital radiography, and is a major provider of dental care to the West Philadelphia community. Of the renovation effort, AS&U says: "The clinic design creates an environment for 74 individual operatories optimized for teaching techniques via 'four-handed dentistry.' The upper glass panels and custom cabinetry provide open sightlines for faculty supervision while maintaining patient privacy and reducing noise levels. The large clinic volume is anchored by the centrally situated Patient Care Pavilion that provides a sense of arrival and serves as hub of clinic operations. As homage to the character of the original Thomas Evans Building, circa 1917, ceiling shape and large chandeliers are informed by historical photos." The Schattner Pavilion and Clinic was completed in 2018. (December 2018)

Larry Robbins House Celebrated in 2018

Larry Robbins House, the home of Penn Engineering and Wharton's joint Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology, has been recognized for its innovative design and adaptive reuse by various outlets throughout 2018. The design integrates an existing historic building and a new, contemporary addition, with three floors offering a mixture of offices, study areas, lounge spaces, and a multipurpose seminar room. Robbins house was awarded LEED Gold status » in May 2018, and received an Honor Award » in the Adaptive Reuse/Historic Preservation category of the American Institute of Architects' annual Design Awards in August 2018. Other recent awards for this project include:

Other recent awards for this project include:
2018 Society of American Registered Architects, New York State Honor Award
2018 Society of American Registered Architects, National Design Award
2018 Chicago Atheneum, Global Architecture Design Award
2018 Architizer, International Competition, Special Recognition

(December 2018)

Architecture Award of Merit for Stephen A. Levin Building

The Stephen A. Levin building recently received an Architecture Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects, Virginia chapter. AIA Virginia honors work done by Virginia-based architects, and recognized the Levin building at its 2018 Design Awards. These honors celebrate projects no older than seven years that contribute to the built environment and are clear examples of thoughtful, engaging design. Read more about the awards here.

In 2017, the Levin Building received a National Award of Merit » from the AIA. (November 2018)

Bicycle Friendly University Award Designation from League of American Bicyclists

The League of American Bicyclists has honored Penn with a Silver Bicycle Friendly University award in recognition of the institution’s achievements in promoting and enabling safe, accessible bicycling on campus. Penn joins a group of 193 BFU colleges and universities in 46 states and the District of Columbia that are transforming the American landscape by providing more bicycle friendly campuses for the benefit of students, staff, and community members.

Learn more about the Bicycle Friendly University program at bikeleague.org/university. (November 2018)

Moelis Reading Room wins prestigious CODA Merit Award

The Moelis Reading Room in Van Pelt library continues to receive major design accolades, most recently with a prestigious Merit award from the Collaboration of Design and Art (CODA). In addition to receiving the international Merit award, Moelis also received a designation from CODA as one of the Top 100 Projects of 2018. Of the reading room, CODA says: “The Grand Reading Room is a seminal achievement towards realizing the University’s vision for a campus library complete with a reading room to rival those of the world's grandest libraries.” Read more about the winners, and the Collaboration of Design and Art, here. (September 2018)

Adaptive Reuse Award for Larry Robbins House from AIA New York

The New York State Chapter of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) has selected Larry Robbins House for an Honor Award in the Adaptive Reuse/Historic Preservation category of their annual Design Awards. The distinguished award will be presented at an AIA ceremony in November, in New York. The 7,120-square-foot Robbins House, located at 3537 Locust Walk, was originally constructed in the late 19th century as a home, and was recently renovated to become the home of the joint Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology. Read more about AIA New York and the awards here.(August 2018)

Hill House awarded Sustainability in Historic Preservation Award from Preservation Pennsylvania

Hill College House has been chosen to receive a Sustainability in Historic Preservation Award at the 2018 Pennsylvania Historic Preservation Awards. Pennsylvania’s Historic Preservation Awards continue a tradition started in 1979 to honor excellence in preservation, and the annual awards recognize significant contributions in the field of historic preservation made by both individuals and organizations. The award will be presented at a ceremony in September 2018. Read more about the awards and Preservation Pennsylvania here. (August 2018)

New College House wins Honor Award for Built Design

New College House was awarded an Honor Award for Built Design by the American Association of Landscape Architects, Potomac Division, in May 2018. The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) is a national professional organization representing 17,000 landscape architects. ASLA has 48 state and regional chapters. Founded in 1899, the mission of ASLA is to advocate, to lead, to educate, and to participate in the careful stewardship, wise planning, and artful design of cultural, natural and/or the built environments for human enjoyment. To read more about the ASLA and their work, visit their website. (June 2018)

3537 Locust Walk is awarded LEED Gold

3537 Locust Walk, also known as Robbins House, was awarded LEED Gold status in May 2018. Robbins House scored high points for the use of sustainable, low-emitting materials, as well as its abundance of light and views. 3537 Locust Walk provides a cohesive home for the Penn Engineering and Wharton's joint Jerome Fisher Program in Management & Technology. The design integrates an existing historic building and a new, contemporary addition, with three floors offering a mixture of offices, study areas, lounge spaces, and a multipurpose seminar room. For more on the Robbins House LEED status, visit the U.S. Green Building Council. (May 2018)

Prestigious Awards for Hill House

Hill College House’s recent renovation has won a prestigious Grand Jury Award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. Each year the Preservation Alliance gets together to celebrate the “individuals, organizations, public agencies, and corporations who have made outstanding contributions to the preservation of our region’s architectural and cultural heritage.” The Preservation Alliance will present the award, celebrating Hill House and the University’s dedication to historic preservation, at a ceremony in June. Visit the Preservation Alliance to learn more about the awards and to see all the 2018 award winners, and visit Penn Connects to learn more about Hill House and its recent renovation.

Additionally, Hill House was awarded a Civic Award of Excellence for Modernism in America from Docomomo, a leading architectural preservation group. In their sixth year, these national awards “celebrate the documentation, preservation and re-use of modern buildings, structures and landscapes built in the United States or on U.S. territory. The Awards recognize those building owners, design teams, advocacy and preservation organizations that have made significant efforts to retain, restore and advocate for the aesthetic and cultural value of such places.” (May 2018)

Penn recognized as first tobacco-free campus in the Ivy League

In March 2018, Penn was officially recognized by the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation as the first 100% tobacco-free campus in the Ivy League. In October 2017 the University changed its policy, prohibiting the use of tobacco products in all University buildings and facilities, including outdoor spaces and public sidewalks within twenty feet of any University property. See the full list of tobacco-free campuses here. (April 2018)

Hill College House is awarded LEED Gold

Hill House was awarded LEED Gold status in January 2018. Hill received high points for water efficient landscaping, building reuse and use of recycled content, and innovation in design. For more on Hill’s LEED status, visit the U.S. Green Building Council. (January 2018)

Penn's West Philadelphia Campus Accredited as a Level II Arboretum

The University of Pennsylvania campus in West Philadelphia is now officially recognized as an Level II arboretum by the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. First recognized as a Level I arboretum in April 2017, Penn’s campus is an urban forest with more than 6,500 trees in its collection, over 240 species of trees and shrubs, ten specialty gardens, and five urban parks. To reach Level II status, Penn met an enhanced criteria, including the management of a minimum of 100 species, varieties, or cultivars of trees or woody plants, as well as enhanced educational and public programming related to tree ecology and conservation. Read more at Penn Sustainabilty. (January 2018)

2017 Awards

Phoenix Award for Pennovation Center

The Pennovation Center has been awarded a Phoenix Award for excellence in brownfield redevelopment. The Phoenix Awards inspire and recognize exemplary brownfield redevelopment and revitalization, and winning projects offer a fresh take on significant environmental issues, show innovation and demonstrate masterful community impact. For each award year, one winner is selected from each of EPA's 10 regions, and additional special winners are selected for community impact, sustainability or other special achievements. The Pennovation Center won the award for EPA Region 3, and was honored at the Brownfield awards. (December 2017)

Penn Wins First Place in Philadelphia’s “Love to Ride” bike competition

Penn won first place in October’s Love to Ride competition, where Philadelphia businesses competed against each other to see who could get the most staff to ride a bike and log their trips between October 1-31. Competitors used a simple points model to allow workplaces to compete with each other across their size category, and Penn came in first place in their size category with over 11,000 points, almost double the points of the second place finisher. Congratulations to all the Penn staff who participated and their commitment to a clean air Philadelphia! (October 2017)

Design Awards for Pennovation Center and Moelis Grand Reading Room

Two Penn projects took home major honors at this year’s AIA Philadelphia Design Awards. The Pennovation Center won the Merit Award in the Built category, and the Moelis Grand Reading Room at Van Pelt Library received the Merit Award in the Built-Interiors category. More than 300 guests attended the 2017 Design Awards, held in the Kimmel Center's Perelman Theater. The awards, based on design in the Built, Unbuilt and Divine Detail categories, honor the most innovative architectural projects in the Philadelphia area. Visit AIA Philadelphia to see a list of all the award winners. (October 2017)

GBCA Excellence in Craftsmanship Award for Moelis Grand Reading Room at Van Pelt Library

The Moelis Grand Reading Room at Van Pelt Library has been awarded the Excellence in Craftsmanship Award from the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA). The Reading Room, featuring glass walls and wood ceilings as well as a hand-made wool and silk mural by world-renowned artist Claudy Jongstra, is a silent, sound-proof study room that encourages quiet reflection. According to the GBCA website, the Excellence in Craftsmanship Award is “is intended to recognize a project that has demonstrated exceptional care in detail, utilized new or different materials or technologies, and/or coordinated intricate building techniques.” (October 2017)

National AIA Award of Merit for Stephen A. Levin Building

In September, the Stephen A. Levin building received an Award of Merit from the American Institute of Architects as part of their Education Facility Design Awards. These national awards are given to what the AIA determines as the year’s best and most innovative school and college facilities. The Jury members for the awards commented: “The materiality of the building is striking and provides richness to the interior and exterior spaces. The dappled light and textures of the circulation and learning environments are visually and cognitively stimulating, a beautiful expression of the school's program.” The Levin Building is home to the Neural and Behavioral Sciences program at Penn, and houses research laboratories, teaching facilities, and spaces designed for interactions to foster cross-disciplinary work and collaboration. Find more information about AIA and the awards here. (October 2017)

DVGBC Groundbreaker Finalist for FMC Tower and Project Award Winner for New College House

This year’s Delaware Valley Green Building Council Groundbreaker Awards acknowledged two University projects for their commitment to sustainability. The Groundbreaker Awards focus on a collective mission to advance design and building technologies that improve health, save money, and reduce carbon emissions. New College House won the prestigious Project Award, and was recognized for green roofs on over 70% of its rooftop surfaces, as well as sophisticated HVAC systems, and a preserved green space for all its residents and the surrounding community. Additionally, the FMC Tower at Cira Centre South was one of six project finalists. The FMC Tower is a high performing tower, saving energy and water use while offering great views, green roofs, and plazas. Visit the Delaware Valley Green Building Council website for more about these prestigious awards. (September 2017)

New College House Earns LEED Gold

Penn’s New College House has been awarded a prestigious LEED Gold designation from the U.S. Green Building Council. The 350-bed New College House, which was completed in August 2016, features large glass windows, community greenspaces, and a green roof that cleans and stores rainwater. Certified Gold under the rating system LEED NC v2009, New College House received high points for its efforts toward sustainability in various categories. In the Construction Waste category, the project received 2/2 points for Construction Waste Management by diverting 95.78% of the on-site generated construction waste from landfill. In the Indoor Environmental Quality category, the project received 1/1 points for the thermal controls provided for 99.79% of building occupants and 100% of shared multi-occupants. NCH also received a full 5/5 points in the Development Density and Community Connectivity category, and in the Water Efficiency category it received 2/4 points for Water Efficient Landscaping. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement, and is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. Read more about the LEED rating system here, and visit the Penn Connects website to learn more about New College House. (September 2017)

ENR Best Project Award for New College House

New College House has won a Best Project award in the Higher Education/Research category from Engineering News-Record (ENR). Two panels of industry judges reviewed and discussed more than 60 projects located throughout the region, including Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia and the District of Columbia. Projects were evaluated on the ability of the project team to overcome challenges, contribution to the industry and community, safety and construction and design quality. Visit ENR’s website to read more about the awards and the judging process. (August 2017)

Moelis Family Grand Reading Room wins two awards from International Interior Design Association

University of Pennsylvania’s new Moelis Family Grand Reading Room has received two awards from the International Interior Design Association’s (IIDA) Pennsylvania/New Jersey/Delaware chapter. At this year’s Design Awards ceremony, the Association presented the Moelis Family Grand Reading Room with the 2017 Viewer’s Choice Award and Best in Education Award. The Best in Education Award was given based on the room’s advanced lighting systems and the design of the felt and silk mural that covers one wall. The Viewer’s Choice Award is given to the project that receives the most social media reactions during judging. To read more about the awards and about IIDA, click here. (August 2017)

New York State Design Awards – Perry World House

Perry World House has won one of the 49^th annual Design Awards from the American Institute of Architects New York State (AIANYS). Honoring architects, designers, and planners from New York State as well works completed by others in New York State, the winners will be officially recognized at a reception held on November 10, this year in Albany, New York. 1100 Architect, the firm that designed Perry World House as an adaptive reuse project, is based in New York City. To read more about the awards, click here. (August 2017)

Brick in Architecture Award to Penn's New College House

Since 1989, the Brick Industry Association has sponsored The Brick in Architecture Awards, the nation's premiere architectural award featuring clay brick. Penn's New College House received the 2017 Brick in Architecture Gold Award for Higher Education.

Photos of the winners and more information about the awards can be found here. (July 2017)

Penn Wins Clean Commute Employer of the Year

The Clean Air Council of Philadelphia has chosen the University of Pennsylvania as the Clean Commute Employer of the Year! In 2014, Cleaner Commute Philadelphia launched the Clean Air Commute Awards to highlight the efforts of Philadelphia-area commuters and employers who go the extra mile for sustainable commuting. This past January the University announced an initiative to reimburse a portion of their out-of-pocket commuting expenses to full-time employees who bike to work. (May 2017)

EPA Recognizes Penn as Top Green Power User in the Ivy League in 2016-2017

Penn has announced that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has recognized it as an Individual Conference Champion of the 2016-17 College & University Green Power Challenge for using more green power than any other school in the Ivy League. Penn beat its conference rivals by using 200 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power, representing 52 percent of the school’s annual electricity usage. The university is procuring renewable energy certificates (RECs) from Renewable Choice Energy. This demonstrates a proactive choice to switch away from traditional sources of electricity generation and support cleaner renewable energy alternatives. (May 2017)

Air Quality Award to Penn from DVRPC

The Air Quality Partnership (AQP), a program of the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, educates residents about the dangerous effects of ground-level ozone and provides air quality forecasts to the public. To celebrate local initiatives and best practices to reduce air pollution, five organizations in the Greater Philadelphia region received 2017 Air Quality Partnership Excellence Awards. Each year, public and private institutions are honored for their efforts to improve air quality.

Penn has been recognized for reducing emissions from transportation sources through a comprehensive program that includes commuter transit benefits, parking management strategies, electric vehicle charging stations, bicycle facilities, alternative fueled fleet vehicles, and last-mile shuttles and van pools, among other sustainability measures. Penn utilizes a suite of strategies that serves as a best practice for other public organizations, said the DVRPC in a press statement. (May 2017)

ULI Awards of Excellence Finalists

The Pennovation Center is among 14 finalists for the Urban Land Institute’s fourth annual Willard G. “Bill” Rouse III Awards for Excellence. The Awards for Excellence, modeled after the ULI Global Awards for Excellence, recognize superior development projects in Eastern and Central Pennsylvania, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware.

The Urban Land Institute describes the Pennovation Center as such: “The University of Pennsylvania realized a critical element of creating an intellectual and entrepreneurial asset to Philadelphia’s Innovation Ecosystem in transforming a vacant, industrial building and an underdeveloped area of the city into a unique, modern campus that is fresh and functional.”

Winners will be announced at a cocktail reception in June in center city Philadelphia. (May 2017)

Penn West Philadelphia Campus Accredited as an Arboretum

The University of Pennsylvania campus in West Philadelphia is now officially recognized as an arboretum. Penn’s urban campus has achieved particular standards of professional practices deemed important for arboreta and botanic gardens, and therefore has been awarded a Level I Accreditation by The ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program. The Arboretum at the University of Pennsylvania curates and manages a diverse collection of trees, focused on preserving and sustaining the urban forest for the well-being of the community, environmental benefits, research and educational opportunities. Penn’s campus is an urban forest with more than 6,500 trees in its collection, over 240 species of trees and shrubs, ten specialty gardens and five urban parks. (April 2017)

Penn named a Tree Campus USA for the eighth year in a row

The University of Pennsylvania has been named a Tree Campus USA for the eighth year in row, a designation awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation. Tree Campus USA is a national program created in 2008 to honor colleges and universities for effective campus forest management and for engaging staff and students in conservation goals. The Arbor Day Foundation is a nonprofit conservation and education organization of one million members, with the mission to inspire people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. More information on the Foundation and its programs can be found at arborday.org. (April 2017)

Pennovation Center receives a multitude of awards and recognition

The Pennovation Center had been recognized locally and globally in numerous news articles and even in a new TV series on Growing Greater Philadelphia. It was recognized as the Best of 2016 by Philadelphia Business Journal and Curbed Philly, and by Wired Magazine as one of the year's Top 25 Architectural Masterpieces, and by Fast Company as a Coolest Workplace Design of this past year. (February 2017)

Preservation Alliance Award for Pennovation Center

The Pennovation Center has been awarded a 2017 Grand Jury award from the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia. The annual awards are presented to buildings, businesses and projects that exemplify outstanding achievement in the field of historic preservation throughout the region. The Pennovation Center project transformed a 20^th century paint factory into a 21^st century innovation hub. To read more about the awards and to view all the 2017 recipients, visit: http://www.preservationalliance.com/preservation-achievement-awards/ (February 2017)

Pennovation Center Awarded LEED Gold

In early 2017, the Pennovation Center was awarded LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. Co-designed by Hollwich Kushner and Philadelphia firm KSS Architects, the 58,000 SF Pennovation Center was designed with many state-of-the-art green features, including storm water irrigation and an aluminum grid shading system, Additionally, Pennovation is an adaptive reuse project, and more than 90% of the existing concrete from the original warehouse at the site was preserved in the construction of the center. More information about the LEED rating system can be found here: http://www.usgbc.org/leed. (January 2017)

2016 Awards

Pennovation Center receives Community Impact Award from CREW Philadelphia

In November the Pennovation Center received the Community Impact Award from CREW (Commercial Real Estate Women) Philadelphia. The award recognizes projects completed in the last three years that have had a measurable economic impact in the Greater Philadelphia region. For a building to win the award, 75% of the project team must be located within the Greater Philadelphia Region and 25% of the project team must be composed of CREW Philadelphia members or be a CREW Philadelphia sponsor. The project team is composed of CREW Members from the following companies: KSS Architects, Ballinger, and Pennoni Associates.

Anne Papageorge, Vice President for the Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services at the University of Pennsylvania, accepted the award. (November 2016)

Kaskey Park accepted into the Greater Philadelphia Garden Alliance

University of Pennsylvania’s James G. Kaskey Memorial Park, botanical garden and BioPond has been recognized by the Greater Philadelphia Garden Alliance, which promotes outstanding contributions to horticulture in the Philadelphia area. A full list of recognized gardens can be found here: http://americasgardencapital.org/ (November, 2016)

Richards Lab and New College House receive awards from AIA Pennsylvania

Richards Medical Research Lab was selected to receive the American Institute of Architects (AIA) Pennsylvania’s 50 Year Timeless Building Award at the 2016 Architectural Excellence Design Awards. The award celebrates buildings over fifty years old that “have stood the test of time as a permanent record of its place and time while serving as an enduring reference point and source of inspiration for present and future architectural discourse.”

Additionally, Penn’s New College House received a Citation of Merit award from AIA Pennsylvania. A Citation of Merit is given to any project that “bears an exceptional aspect that the jury feels represents excellence.” A full list of awards can be found here: https://aiapa.org/ (November, 2016)

Levin Building wins AIA Potomac Valley Design award

Penn’s Stephen A. Levin building has been recognized by the Potomac Valley chapter of the AIA. The Levin Building received the Gold/Honor award at the annual award ceremony on October 20^th. More information about the award can be found here. (October, 2016)

Anne Papageorge recognized by Philadelphia Business Journal

FRES Vice President Anne Papageorge was recognized as part of the Philadelphia Business Journal's Power 76 in 2016, a guide to the region's most influential people. These are the City’s movers and shakers who the PBJ editorial team see as having the most impact in shaping the future of Greater Philadelphia. Anne was selected for her leadership over the past decade of campus transformation with the rollout of the University’s Penn Connects development plan. The full list of 2016 Power 76 can be viewed here. (October, 2016)

FRES team wins Green Purchasing Award

On September 28, A team of FRES staff received a Green Purchasing Award at Purchasing Services’ annual Purchasing Services Supplier Show. Over the past two years, the honorees collaborated on 60 projects that provided reductions in electric consumption to qualify for rebates of over $3.4 million from the PECO Act 129 Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan.

More information about the award and photos available here: http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/volumes/v63/n09/honors-other-things.html (October, 2016)

David Hollenberg receives Master Builders’ Award from The Carpenters’ Company of Philadelphia

On October 29^th University Architect David Hollenberg received a lifetime achievement award known as the Master Builders’ Award from the Carpenters’ Company of the City of Philadelphia. He was honored for his decades of work in the city of Philadelphia, and most recently on Penn’s campus, at the Master Builders’ Award gala attended by almost 300 people at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Governor Tom Wolfe spoke about Hollenberg’s work via video here: https://upenn.box.com/s/setfwl8ru9sr987a0tqipr9chnsg7ogo.

You can read more about the award here: http://carpentershall.org/company/index.htm. (October, 2016)

Levin Building receives Construction Excellence Award

The Stephen A. Levin Building recently received a Construction Excellence Award from the General Building Contractors Association. The Levin Building was awarded the Best Educational Institution Project award on November 3^rd, at the 19^th Annual Construction Excellence Awards. More information about the awards can be found here: https://www.gbca.com/blog/19th-annual-construction-excellence-awards (November, 2016)

Penn's New College House Recognized by ACE Mentor Program

Over the past year, FRES once again hosted an ACE (Architecture, Construction and Engineering) mentorship team, and the New College House was used as the base project for the exploration. In May, the ACE Mentor Program of Eastern PA awarded the 2016 Urban Project of the Year to Penn’s New College House, designed by BCJ Architects. When it opens in August, the New College House will be Penn’s first residential building specifically designed as a college house.

Founded in 1994, the ACE program’s mission is “to engage, excite and enlighten high school students to pursue careers in architecture, engineering, and construction through mentoring and to support their continued advancement in the industry.” It draws high school students from many Philadelphia public schools and gives them exposure by working with real professionals in real work environments. To see the mentorship program in action, view the ACE Program Photo Album. For more on the ACE Program, visit www.acementor.org. (May 2016)

LEED Gold Designation for 3901 Walnut

LEED Gold has been earned by 3901 Walnut street, a six-story office building, with retail on the first floor and home to existing Penn offices. The Hankin Group managed the development. Occupied May 2015. (Feb 2016)

Walnut 32 Parking Garage Recognized by Preservation Alliance

The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia selected Walnut 32 Parking Garage to receive a 2016 Preservation Achievement Grand Jury Award. Learn more. (Feb 2016)

Penn Museum West Wing Earns 2016 Preservation Achievement Grand Jury Award

The Penn Museum West Wing was selected because it stands out as an example of excellence in the field of historic preservation. Award presentation will take place at the 23rd Annual Preservation Achievement Awards on Wednesday, June 8, 5:00-8pm, at the Union League of Philadelphia. Learn more. (Feb 2016)

Historic ARCH Earns LEED Silver

Penn’s renovation and preservation of the 87-year-old ARCH, the University’s student cultural center, has achieved a LEED Silver Certification under LEED for Commercial Interiors (V2009). Learn more about the ARCH ».

Penn Wharton China Center Certified LEED Gold

The Penn Wharton China Center (PWCC) is LEED Gold certified under LEED for Commercial Interiors (V2009). The PWCC, a leased facility located in the World Financial Center in Beijing, is a dedicated location for the growing numbers of programs and collaborations between Penn’s 12 schools and many academic, government, and business partners throughout China. Learn more about PWCC ».

2015 Awards

University Architect David Hollenberg Receives 2015 Wyck-Strickland Award

David Hollenberg, University Architect at Penn, received the 2015 Wyck-Strickland Award at a reception on October 15 at the Wyck, a historic house, garden and farm in the Germantown section of Philadelphia. Mr. Hollenberg oversees the design and preservation of Penn’s campus. Since 2006, he has led an array of projects that deftly reconcile the desire for architectural preservation and the drive for progressive design, ensuring that the campus continues to be distinctively “Penn." (Oct 2015)

Penn Projects Earn Recognition from AIA Philadelphia

At the AIA Philadelphia Design Awards Gala in October, the transformation of Penn's Meyerson Hall by architects Erdy McHenry, earned a Silver Medal. The Silver Medal recognizes a single unbuilt project of the most exemplary design quality. The transformation features a prominent pedestrian entrance with an addition of luminescent glass to the façade on the north side. The Walnut/34th street plaza was also redesigned to convey a friendlier street presence that provides places for student interaction.

In addition, EVO at Cira Centre South, an off-campus graduate student housing tower, received an Honor Award for Built Project, and the neighboring Cira Green, a one-acre green roof, received an Honor Award for UnBuilt Project -- both designed by Erdy McHenry. (Oct 2015)

Penn Ranked for “Campus Beauty”

Penn has been ranked #13 in the Buzzfeed list of 25 Most Beautiful Campuses in the World. (Oct 2015)

Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall Addition Received Merit Award from the American Institute of Architects New Jersey Chapter

The Wharton School’s Steinberg Hall-Dietrich Hall Addition was honored with a Merit Award in October 2015 during the AIA New Jersey State Convention in Whippany, NJ. (Oct 2015)

Edward W. Kane Park receives Merit Award from ASLA New Jersey Chapter

A Merit Award – Landscape Architectural Design: Site Design was presented to The University of Pennsylvania and Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects -- the landscape architect team responsible for conducting a feasibility study and final design for the re-design of the 22,250 SF triangular parking lot at the gateway intersection of 33rd, 34th and Spruce Streets. (Jan 2015)

Penn Named Corporate Advocate of the Year

The African-American Chamber of Commerce of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware has named the University of Pennsylvania the 2015 AACC Corporate Advocate of the Year. Penn's economic inclusion program commenced in 1998 with the aim of engaging West Philadelphians and minority- and women-owned businesses in the University's institutional purchasing, construction, and workforce development activities. Since it's inception, this program has generated close to a billion dollard of spend with local, minority- and women-owned businesses and neighbors through the University and its Health System.

ARCH Honored by Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia

The Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia announced the winners of the 2015 Preservation Achievement Awards, including individuals, organizations, structures, and public spaces that contribute to the region’s unique character. This year, twenty regional restoration and revitalization projects were selected by a Grand Jury of distinguished experts including national figures in the preservation world, including the revitalization of the Arts, Research, Culture House, known as ARCH, at the University of Pennsylvania.

The Alliance presented the Special Recognition and Grand Jury awards at the 22nd Annual Preservation Achievement Awards event on Wednesday, June 3, at the historic Union League of Philadelphia. The annual celebration of outstanding success is the largest gathering of preservationists in the region. (April 2015)

Singh Center Receives Honor Award from New York Chapter of American Institute of Architects

Penn, along with architecture firm Weiss/Manfredi, share this recognition for the Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology. AIA New York’s annual Design Awards Program recognizes outstanding architectural design. All 2015 winning projects will be on view at AIANY’s Center for Architecture in the 2015 Design Awards exhibition, April 23 through June 17, 2015. (April 2015)

2014 Awards

Singh Center Honored by Architect Magazine

Architect Magazine, the Journal of the American Institute of Architects, has named the Krishna P. Singh Center an honoree in the category Grow, in its 2014 Design Review.

Singh Center Earns Two Awards from Engineering News-Record

The Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology has won two awards in the Engineering News-Record's 2014 Best Projects in the Mid-Atlantic: Project of the Year, and Best Higher Education/Research Project. ENR's independent jury of industry experts recognized a total of 29 projects in 17 construction categories to represent the region's best. (December 2014)

Singh Center Named Best New Educational Building

Architect Magazine has acknowledged the Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology as the best new educational building of the year, as announced in the December 2014 issue. 

AIA New York State Honors Singh Center

The Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology has been given an Award of Excellence in the Institutional category in the 2014 AIA New York State Design Awards. (October 2014)

Shoemaker Green Earns DVGBC Groundbreaker Award

On September 18th at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre in Philadelphia, the Delaware Valley Green Building Council honored those transformative people, organizations, and projects that are moving our market, impacting the region, and influencing others to do the same around the corner or around the world. Penn's Shoemaker Green was recognized for achievement in Public Green Space. Read more on the DVGBC website. (October 2014)

Design for Shoemaker Green Wins 2014 Award from ASLA

Andropogon and Associates, designers of Penn's Shoemaker Green, received a 2014 Honor Award for that project from the American Society of Landscape Architects. Read more on the ASLA website. (September 2014)

Two More Penn Projects Earn LEED Gold Certification

Two University of Pennsylvania building projects have received LEED Gold certification by the U.S. Green Building Council: The Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology and the Wharton School’s Steinberg-Dietrich Hall West Tower Entrance addition. Details on the University of Pennsylvania website. (August 2014)

FRES Receives APPA Award for LEAN Initiatives

APPA, the association for professionals in educational facilities management, has selected Penn for its 2014 Effective & Innovative Practices Award. Specifically, APPA has selected Penn’s entry for FRES’ undertaking of LEAN initiatives for maintenance work order management, solid waste management and those underway in housekeeping and preventative maintenance: “Facilities & Real Estate Services (FRES) at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) look to provide innovative and cost-effective solutions that embrace the University’s rich past and enhance the quality of the living and learning experience.” A formal presentation of the award was made during the awards reception at the APPA 2014 conference in San Diego, CA. (July 2014)

Mid-Atlantic Chapter CMAA Recognizes Singh Center

The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the Construction Management Association of America awarded First Place in the category of higher education projects over $20 million to The Singh Center for Nanotechnology. This award was presented to Gilbane Construction and the University of Pennsylvania at the June awards banquet in Philadelphia. The annual Construction Management Project Achievement Awards program is designed to recognize and promote professionalism and excellence in the management of the construction process. (June 2014)

Singh Center Wins Structural Engineering Award

The Structural Engineers Association of New York (SEAoNY) has presented a 2014 SEAoNY Excellence in Structural Engineering Award to the Singh Center for Nanotechnology in the New Building category. (June 2014)

ALA / IIDA Library Interior Design Award to Education Commons

Penn’s Education Commons, located in Weiss Pavilion, has received a 2014 Honorable Mention – in the category Academic Libraries under 30,000 sq ft. The study space, designed by Joel Sanders Architect, received this award sponsored jointly by the International Interior Design Association and the American Library Association. Visit iida.org. (May 2014)

Penn Listed in The Princeton Review’s Guide to 332 Green Colleges: 2014 Edition

This guide—which has been published for five years in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council's Center for Green Schools—is the only free, comprehensive resource for college applicants that focuses solely on saluting colleges that have demonstrated a strong commitment to the environment and to sustainability. Download the guide.
(April 2014)

Penn Named a Tree Campus USA for 5th Consecutive Year

The University of Pennsylvania has earned 2013 Tree Campus USA® designation, awarded by the Arbor Day Foundation. This marks the 5th year in a row that Penn has received this designation. Learn more at arborday.org.
(April 2014)

EPA Green Power Award to University

The University of Pennsylvania has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a 2013-2014 Individual Conference Champion of the College & University Green Power Challenge for using more green power than any other school in the Ivy League.
(April 2014)

Singh Center for Nanotechnology Earns LEED Gold

The Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology, opened in Fall 2013, has been awarded LEED Gold status for new construction by the U.S. Green Building Council, a coveted recognition of best-in-class building strategies for energy and environmental design. Visit the USGBC website.
(April 2014)

Global Architectural Awards Special Mention for Singh Center

The Architizer A+Awards are a global architectural award program with 90+ categories and over 300 judges. In 2014, the Krishna P. Singh Center for Nanotechnology received a Special Mention in the category: Higher Education Institutions & Research Facilities.(April 2014)

Singh Center Wins Steel Construction Industry Award

The Singh Center for Nanotechnology has earned national recognition in the 2014 Innovative Design in Engineering and Architecture with Structural Steel awards program (IDEAS²). Conducted annually by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), the IDEAS² awards recognize outstanding achievements in engineering and architecture on steel-framed building projects throughout the U.S. The Singh Center was recognized in the Projects Greater than $75 Million category. (March 2014)

The Wall Street Journal Best of 2013: Architecture

"The Virtues of Restraint," The Wall Street Journal, December 26, 2013
featuring Singh Center for Nanotechnology

Interior Design Magazine Recognizes Education Commons, Kislak Center

Interior Design magazine has honored two Penn projects in the 2013 Best of Year Award in the category Education: Library:

• Winner = Education Commons in Weiss Pavilion, Joel Sanders Architect
• Honoree = The Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts in Van Pelt Library, Gensler Architects

2013 Awards

Dallas AIA Honors Kislak Center

The Dallas Chapter of The American Institute of Architects presented a 2013 Built Design Awards Honor Award to the architecture firm Gensler for The Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts. The AIA Dallas Design Awards recognizes outstanding work by Dallas architects, both in the metropolitan area and across the country. The purpose of the awards program is to honor the architects, clients, and consultants who work together to achieve design excellence.

2013 Brick in Architecture Award to Golkin Hall

Penn Law’s Golkin Hall has been named “Best in Class” (Educational - Higher Education category) in the 2013 Brick in Architecture awards, sponsored by The Brick Industry Association. Best in Class winners will receive national recognition through a special Brick in Architecture insert in the December 2013 issue of Architect or Architectural Record Magazine. (Dec 2013)

Sustainable SITES Certification for Shoemaker Green

Shoemaker Green has achieved SITES certification (2 star rating) from the Sustainable SITES Initiative program. The open space project is serving as a pilot to field test the nation's most comprehensive rating system for sustainable landscapes. The guidelines and rating system were created by dozens of the country's leading sustainability experts, scientists, and design professionals. Read the press release from the Sustainable SITES Initiative here. (Dec 2013)

Singh Center Wins National and International Architecture Awards

The newly opened Singh Center for Nanotechnology has won the Chicago Athenaeum's American Architecture Award and International Architecture Award this year, recognized as being among the most significant new contemporary architecture in the United States. (Nov 2013)

Golkin Hall Receives LEED GOLD Designation

Golkin Hall has also been awarded LEED Gold status for new construction by the U.S. Green Building Council, a coveted recognition of best-in-class building strategies for energy and environmental design. Click here to read more. (Sept 2013)

SCUP (Society for College and University Planning) Honor Award for Excellence in Planning for an Existing Campus

The University of Pennsylvania, along with Sasaki Associates, Inc., has received the 2013 Excellence in Planning for an Existing Campus from the Society for College & University Planning for Penn Connects. Awards were announced at the July meeting of SCUP in San Diego.

(July 2013)

LEED Gold for Wharton San Francisco

Wharton San Francisco's new expanded facility, located in the historic Hills Brothers Plaza at the base of the Bay Bridge, has achieved LEED CI Gold Certification. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized green building program administered by the U.S. Green Building Council; CI refers to the benchmarks for Commercial Interiors. (March 2013)

2012 Awards

International Sustainable Campus Network Recognizes Penn’s Green Academic Offerings

The academic component that the University of Pennsylvania has included in its Climate Action Plan caught the attention of the International Sustainable Campus Network when that agency compiled its inaugural Global University Leaders Forum Charter report earlier this year. Click here to read more.
(March 2012)

Weiss Pavilion Receives Preservation Alliance 2012 Grand Jury Award

Weiss Pavilion was recently honored with a 2012 Grand Jury Award from the Greater Philadelphia Preservation Alliance for exemplifying outstanding achievement in the field of historic preservation. Click here for the complete list of Preservation Alliance award recipients. (February 2012)

2011 Awards

Morris Arboretum Horticulture Center Receives Montgomery Award

Phase 1 of the Horticulture Center of the Morris Arboretum, located in Springfield Township, earned a 2011 Land Development Award from the Montgomery County Planning Commission for its innovative site planning, energy-efficient building design, and sustainable design features. This successful project demonstrates the Morris Arboretum’s long-term commitment to sustainable practices and achieves the arboretum’s goal of providing a place for work, learning, and community.
(December 2011)

Weiss Pavilion Certified LEED Gold

Weiss Pavilion, Penn’s intercollegiate athletic weight training room and recreation center within the north arcade of Franklin Field, has been certified LEED Gold by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). It is Penn's fifth facility to become LEED Certified, following the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (Certified), Music Building (Gold), Morris Arboretum Horticulture Center (Platinum), and Joe's Café (Gold, Commercial Interiors). Click here to read more.
(December 2011)

National Geographic Names Capogiro Best Place for Ice Cream in the World

Capogiro Gelato Artisans has been tabbed by National Geographic as the #1 spot for ice cream in the world. Capogiro has been a Philadelphia fixture since the doors of their first store opened at 13th and Sansom in 2002. The café at the Radian opened in 2009 and serves breakfast, panini, coffee, espresso, and cocktails in addition to its award-winning gelato. Click here for the full list of top ice cream spots from National Geographic.
(November 2011)

Society of American Registered Architects (SARA) Design Award

The Pennsylvania Council of SARA awarded the newly opened, $313m, Translational Research Center at the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine a design award.
(September 2011)

Philament Award for Lighting Excellence

Completed in 2010, Wharton’s new On Campus Recruiting Suite (OCRS) has been recognized for its interior lighting design by the Philadelphia Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America. (August 2011)

SCUP (Society for College and University Planning) Merit Award for Excellence in Architecture Addition/Renovation

Completed in the spring of 2010, the renovation and expansion introduced new state-of-the-art teaching and rehearsal spaces that revitalized the building as well as the School of Arts and Sciences’ Music Department. The building fits perfectly within Penn’s network of open spaces and gardens and is an integral piece of the Penn Connects campus development plan. It integrates multiple sustainable design elements and is Penn’s first LEED Gold building. Click here for the complete list of 2011 SCUP Award Winners.
(August 2011)

Wharton OCRS Wins Philament Award for Lighting Excellence

Completed in 2010, Wharton’s new On Campus Recruiting Suite (OCRS) was recognized in August for its interior lighting design by the Philadelphia Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.(August 2011)

Sierra Magazine Cool Schools

University of Pennsylvania ranked #21 for 2011. Penn was cited particularly for its Green Fund program, which awards grants to faculty, staff or students for innovative sustainability proposals. For complete 2011 rankings click here.
(August 2011)

International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Honorable Mention

The Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware Chapter of the IIDA gave honorable mention to the renovations completed in the summer of 2010 to the Chemistry 1958 Wing for the organization of its interior space. (June 2011)

AIA Awards for Design Excellence

AIA Philadelphia's Awards for Design Excellence program recognizes significant achievements by member architecture firms in the planning, design, and execution of architectural projects, and promotes the public appreciation of design quality.
Two Penn projects were honored under the Built Projects category:

Gold Medal: Awarded to a single work of the most exemplary design quality.
Out on a Limb, Morris Arboretum, Metcalfe

Honor Award: Awarded to works that exemplify high overall design quality in architecture, interiors, and preservation.
Annenberg Public Policy Center, Ballinger

2010 Awards

AIA Pennsylvania Architectural Excellence Winners

The Pennsylvania branch of the American Institute of Architects (AIA) awarded the Annenberg Public Policy Center, the Radian, and Morris Arboretum's Out on a Limb exhibit with 2010 Citations of Merit for Architectural Excellence. Click here for a complete list of award winners.

Preservation PA Award for the Music Building

Preservation Pennsylvania has honored Penn's Music Building with an Historic Preservation Award for Compatible New Addition in the Construction Project category of Public and Institutional work.

Weave Bridge Receives Construction Excellence Award from GBCA

The Weave Bridge was recently recognized by the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) with a 2010 Construction Excellence Award.

SCI - West Community Grant Award

Andria Morales and Jim Garvey, this year's Artists in Residence, have been awarded a $3,000 grant by the Sustainable Communities Initiative - West (SCI-West) for their community outreach projects in collaboration with Neighborhood Bike Works. The grant money will be used to further build upon the Neighborhood Bike Works' youth education and outreach through art. SCI-West was designed to foster community empowerment in all of the areas that make a neighborhood great, including capital investment, economic activity, education, safety, and healthy environments and lifestyles. Thanks to FRES' Gina Renzi at The Rotunda for helping to secure the grant and for keeping our arts and culture initiatives thriving.

Second Nature Climate Leadership Award

Penn was recently honored with the first Climate Leadership Award for Institutional Excellence by Second Nature at the 4th Annual American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment Summit in Denver, Colorado. Penn was one of 12 institutions chosen from over 600 signatories eligible to receive the award. Click here to read the press release and learn more about the award.