The Engineering Design and Innovation Building is the new front door of the expanding west campus at Penn State’s University Park campus.  True to its name, the Engineering Design and Innovation Building provided several design challenges that allowed for innovation – introduction of a CLT Hybrid Structure, inclusion of a Strong Wall/Reaction Floor, supporting the unique Lattice Brick Façade, and reducing carbon through the use of Low Carbon Concrete.  Turning the building into a learning tool and incorporating sustainability became a focus of the building design.  With large column free spaces, exposed structure, expansive glass, lattice pattern brick, there is an opportunity to witness engineering at every turn.

The 105,000 square foot EDIB is separated into two sections, the “classroom” and the high bay.  On the classroom side, the floor framing utilized a panelized CLT Hybrid framing system to bolster the sustainability of the structure and speed up installation. The 3-story high bay housing (2) 20 -ton gantry cranes and a substantial strong wall/reaction floor delivers a unique testing area for research and conducting experiments. Nearly 10,000 sf of machine shops and manufacturing labs are distributed throughout the facility.  Topped with (5) long span roof monitors for natural light, the fourth level open loft provides students and teachers with a flexible maker space.

Photos: © Warren Jagger Photography