Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology

Walnut Street Rendering view of VLEST
  • Walnut Street Rendering view of VLEST

This newly-constructed, state-of-the-art laboratory serves as the home of the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology and the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research. The new building consolidates the University’s existing and future energy research, which includes the study of  energy conversion methods that are clean and efficient, into one facility consisting mostly of research labs. Shared between SAS and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the building provides a high-quality indoor and outdoor environment to attract and retain faculty and students and maximize learning potential, research productivity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology

3200 Walnut st, Philadelphia, PA 19104
Gross Area (sq. ft.): 112,500
Phase: In Construction
Floors: 7
Architect: Behnisch Architekten
Other Name: VLEST

This newly-constructed, state-of-the-art laboratory serves as the home of the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology and the Vagelos Integrated Program in Energy Research. The new building consolidates the University’s existing and future energy research, which includes the study of  energy conversion methods that are clean and efficient, into one facility consisting mostly of research labs. Shared between SAS and the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the building provides a high-quality indoor and outdoor environment to attract and retain faculty and students and maximize learning potential, research productivity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

The $173.5M Vagelos Laboratory is made up of seven occupied floors of highly functional, flexible, and efficient lab space supported by collaborative spaces. Wet chemistry research labs, optics research labs, and researcher workstations are in conjunction with support spaces, faculty offices, an administrative suite, and a service link to the existing DRL. A new courtyard, framed by DRL, the Palestra and the new Vagelos building sits at the 32nd Street level, approximately 8 feet below Shoemaker Green. A pedestrian ramp connects Shoemaker Green to this building, above the courtyard level. VLEST is scheduled for completion in winter 2025. The project is targeting LEED Silver.