Large cantilevered terra cotta screens will create a “front porch” for the expansion to Drexel University’s Korman Center.
Construction will soon begin on Gluckman Tang Architects’ new project, a renovation to the Philadelphia academic building that opened in 1958.
The school and architects (including landscape design Andropogon Associates) wanted to improve the campus atmosphere by creating a sort of outdoor living room. Large screens will hang 15 feet off the face of the building, under which students can sit, socialize, and work. The screen also shields the building’s two-story glazed wall from solar heat gain.
The first floor of the building features a double-height lobby and lounges. Study spaces on the second floor overlook the outdoor spaces. Plans call for 9,000 sf of common space inside the building.
“This project presents an opportunity to engage and enhance the heart of the Drexel campus,” said Dana Tang, partner at Gluckman Tang Architects. “Our design aspires to give new life to the public face of the Korman Center by projecting openness and transparency and creating dynamic, day-lit interior spaces that connect with an active front porch on the Korman Quad.”
The open green area around the building, named the Korman Quadrangle, will be spruced up with new walkways and canopy trees, which provide more shade so students can comfortably relax in the quad.
Construction is expected to be completed in fall 2017. The project costs $16 million, split between the university and a gift from the Hyman Korman Family Foundation.
(Click renderings to enlarge.)
Related Stories
University Buildings | Jan 27, 2020
St. Edward’s University reveals new Recreation and Athletic Center
Specht Architects designed the building.
University Buildings | Jan 6, 2020
Making it: Gen Z learns by doing
This fundamental shift in learning style will have an impact on higher-education space planning.
University Buildings | Dec 17, 2019
Two LMN Architects-designed academic science buildings move forward for completion next year
These facilities will bring several disciplines under one roof.
University Buildings | Dec 12, 2019
HOK will design the Florida Gators new football facility
The facility will be named after longtime donor to the University of Florida and the University Athletic Association James W. “Bill” Heavener.
Wood | Dec 6, 2019
The University of Arkansas is now home to America’s largest mass timber building
A design collaborative led by Leers Weinzapfel Associates, Modus Studio, Mackey Mitchell Architects, and OLIN designed the project.
University Buildings | Nov 1, 2019
Design unveiled for the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy building
LEO A DALY, in association with VJAA, designed the building.
University Buildings | Oct 28, 2019
Eight projects showcase the latest trends in student housing
Join us on a tour of select student residences at some of America’s top four-year colleges and universities.
University Buildings | Oct 10, 2019
Duke’s Hollows Quad residence halls provide housing for 700 upperclassmen
William Rawn Architects designed the project.
Libraries | Oct 2, 2019
Temple University’s Charles Library includes a ‘BookBot’ storage and retrieval system
The project was designed by Stantec and Snøhetta.
University Buildings | Sep 30, 2019
UMass Amherst’s Worcester Commons to be built on an existing parking lot
Shawmut, in partnership with Perry Dean Rogers and Connor Architecture, are designing the project.