Diamond + Schmitt Architects are selected by Drexel University
International design firm Diamond + Schmitt Architects has been selected by Drexel University to design a new landmark academic building at the heart of Drexel’s West Philadelphia campus. Located at the corner of 33rd and Chestnut Streets, this new facility supports the Department of Bioscience, providing state of the art learning spaces for undergraduate students and 32 research laboratories for faculty and graduate research assistants. The building also houses the Steinbright Career Development Center which serves students and alumni in cooperative education and career placement. In December 2006, Drexel unveiled a new Master Plan and this building by Diamond + Schmitt exemplifies the University’s goal of reinvigorating the vibrant urban campus with architectural excellence and an engaging landscape. The design sets a high standard of sustainability and incorporates a living biofilter wall to achieve energy efficiency and an exemplary standard of indoor air quality. Donald Schmitt, Design Lead, helms a consortium that includes H2L2 Architects of Philadelphia. Mr. Schmitt is the Principal-in-Charge of the $440m campus master plan and academic buildings at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and has considerable experience in academic and laboratory projects, including the Bahen Centre at the University of Toronto, the new Computer Science and Engineering Building and the South Thayer Academic Building both at the University of Michigan. Construction is set to begin in spring 2008.
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