By Micael Sonsino
The Shipley School '99
King of Prussia, Pa.
The University is hoping to alleviate some of its current housing problems through a 10-year, $378.5 million overhaul of each of its dormitories and dining halls. The massive project will change nearly everything about some of the campus' most important hotspots.
The project, announced in the fall of 1998, includes significant renovations to existing dining halls and dormitories as well as the creation of new residences intended to add 1,000 additional beds to the college house system.
Work this summer will provide one-third of the Quadrangle with new bathrooms, updated lighting, air-conditioning and other structural improvements. The work comes as part of a four-year project begun last year that will merge the Quad's four existing college houses into three, add new facilities and utility systems and restore parts of the building's architecture.
The Quad renovations are designed to draw more upperclassmen to the traditionally freshman dormitory.
Nine suites, intended to attract upperclassmen, will be added to each of the three new college houses as renovations progress.
The college house system divides the campus residential system into 12 houses -- each with a house dean and faculty master -- with academic and social support available to students.
In 2001, construction will commence on the new dormitories in Hamilton Village on the western end of Locust Walk.
Patkau Architects, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, was selected to design two low-rise buildings in the northwest quadrant of Superblock, near the three high rises.
Philadelphia-based Kieran, Timberlake and Harris was selected to design renovations to the high rises. The firm is investigating possible ways to split Hamilton College House into two college houses, each with their own lobbies, common space and elevators. The plan also includes two- to three-story skirts to hold new public spaces and reduce the wind-tunnel effect in Hamilton Village.
If the plan is successful, the other two high rises will be similarly renovated.
While these dormitory renovations are taking place, University officials hope to be able to renovate and expand the Class of 1920 Commons dining hall.
Construction of the new dorms is expected to be complete in 2003. With those extra beds in place, Penn will close each of the high rises for one year at a time while they undergo major renovations, from 2003 to 2006.
In 2003, officials will begin planning the fate of Stouffer Triangle, which will likely be demolished to make way for a new dining facility.
The existing low rises in Hamilton Village -- Gregory and DuBois college houses -- will undergo less substantial renovations from 2006 to 2007. King's Court/English House will undergo minor changes in 2007 and 2008.
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