University of Pennsylvania Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering Center for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is a welcoming space for engineering students of different racial, ethnic, cultural, sexual and/or gender identification, abilities, and perspectives. It is a space to gather, to learn, and to share. The new space will be accessible to the engineering school as well as being a place for contemplation, study, group chats, events, and lectures.

In their previous Center, students gathered on, around, and on top of an old couch that occupied some left over space between offices. Over time, as the school of engineering has grown, this couch space became more and more important. It became a sanctuary.

As the design evolved, community engagement sessions were held. Current, upcoming, and former students as well as the parents of students and current faculty members were invited to weigh in on the mission as well as the design. The discussion frequently led back to this notion of a sanctuary. A welcoming room with a fixed central object like the couch becoming a hearth of sorts to signal the importance of gathering and student life.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Completed 2021

2023 AIA Brooklyn Design Award

The new DEI Center is anchored around this “living room” intended to encourage students to gather between classes, grab a cup of coffee or snack, or reach out to DEI staff for conversation. A new meeting space sits adjacent to the living room for lectures and conversations in a more formal setting. The design of both spaces is harmonious, encourage flexible use of both spaces throughout the day. A separate entrance to the meeting room enables seminars or meetings to take place without impacting the informal use of the “living room”. This is a space for the students.

This “slice” of the overall project space depicts how the design is driven around the creation of super-tall spaces centered on the large windows that look out onto Locust Walk. These ceilings are clad in diagonally positioned recycled plastic acoustic baffles that are occasionally penetrated by downlights and long linear diffusing lights. A series of long counters provide space for a display counter (left) pantry (center-left), individual study counters (center), and workspaces for staff (right) (Click on image to enlarge)

Within the meeting room, the oversize sliding door panel encloses a closet used to store a movable flat panel display. It blends into the overall room geometry and adornment to disappear and enhance the visual connection to the living room.

A lot of feedback spoke to the value of the pantry and the importance of food to the social engagement of the ODEI Center. The pantry is accessibly and tucked to the side but very much still part of the conversation space. As a consequence, keeping up with dish duty will be important! (Click on image to enlarge)

The Study is designed for flexibility. The room is “over-wide” to enable gathering at the table for seating as well as standing. Tables are movable to facilitate break out groups as well as to clear the entire space for lecture-style row seating. A recessed pocket at right enables a freestanding LCD TV stand to be tucked out of the way and hidden from view by the large sliding panel door. Ample storage and countertop space is provided for catering or displaying engineering poster boards and other presentation materials.

An old doorway from the space’s previous use as a library reading room is excavated to create a bookshelf to display books and objects related to the Engineering school.

Photography by Devon Banks Photography

Back to Institutional + Commercial Work