UPenn Perry World House—limestone-clad modern building adjoining a preserved historic house on the university campus

Perry World House University of Pennsylvania

Located at the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus, Perry World House is a hub for global engagement. The new limestone-clad building preserves and integrates a significant portion of an historic mid-19th century residence, resulting in a 17,500-square-foot facility that offers affiliates from each of the university’s 12 schools to engage international affairs in a publicly focused, cross-disciplinary way.

Using innovative approaches to structural systems of steel and masonry, 1100 Architect created a high-performing and spatially efficient collection of open and flexible spaces, accommodating classrooms, meeting rooms, offices, and common areas, all designed to encourage student interaction and multi-disciplinary exchange. Central to Perry World House is the World Forum, a glass-enclosed atrium designed as a flexible venue for lectures, seminars, and events.

Street-facing glass façade of Perry World House, framed by mature trees, showcasing transparency and connection to the city.
Active lecture in progress at Perry World House, where a presenter addresses attendees in a bright, modern gathering hall.
Light-filled atrium space with a glass ceiling and large windows, set up with chairs for conferences and public events.
Main event hall with rows of chairs beneath a wood-slat ceiling and stair access, designed for lectures and gatherings.
Reception area with colorful vertical wall art and wood ceiling slats, welcoming visitors with a bright, modern atmosphere.
Exterior view of Perry World House blending a historic residence with a modern stone-clad addition, uniting tradition and contemporary design.
Rear façade of Perry World House with minimalist limestone cladding, geometric windows, and a central entry framed by a paved courtyard and greenery.
Spacious conference room with vaulted ceiling, long wooden table, and rows of chairs, featuring modern lighting and framed artwork on the wall.
Minimalist stairwell featuring a glass railing and a striking blue and yellow abstract mural on the white wall.
Bright lounge area with gray sofas, wooden flooring, and built-in seating alcoves framed by windows.
Seminar room with a professor speaking to students, floor-to-ceiling windows, and colorful circular artwork on the wall.
Open meeting space with a long wooden table, black chairs, and glass railings overlooking the building’s atrium.
Modern office featuring a large portrait artwork, contemporary furniture, and a window bringing in natural light and greenery.

Awards: AIA New York State Design Awards: Award of Citation, 2017
Architizer A+Awards, Popular Choice: Higher Education & Research Facilities, Winner, 2017
Publications: De Monchaux, Thomas. “Perry World House.” ARCHITECT Magazine, March 2017.
Morris, Lacy. “The 9 Best New University Buildings Around the World.” Architectural Digest, February 2017.

Light-filled event room with rows of red and black chairs, white walls, and a staircase accented by a blue abstract wall mural.
Glass façade of Perry World House at night, with illuminated interior spaces and accessible entry ramp.

Romero, Melissa. “Philly’s best new architecture and urban design wins of 2016.” Curbed, December 2016.
Popp, Trey. “Perry World House.” The Pennsylvania Gazette, November 2016.
Saffron, Inga. “Changing Skyline: On Penn’s campus, a new-old building isn’t preservation as we know it.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, August 2016.

Perry World House exterior with angular limestone façade, large windows, landscaped lawn, and trees along the street.
UPenn Perry World House glass façade with sawtooth skylights, showing event seating in the World Forum at dusk

Typology: Education
Services: Renovation, Historic Buildings, Programming
Status: Completed
Size: 17400 SF
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Design Team: Principal-in-Charge:
David Piscuskas, FAIA, LEED AP,
Project Manager: Ed Parker, AIA
LEED Silver Certified
Photography: © PETER AARON

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