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STRATEGIC PLAN

FAST FACTS

Drosdick Hall: Home of Villanova University's College of Engineering

Overview

Name: Drosdick Hall
Location: Villanova University, main campus
Expansion Size: 150,000-square-feet
Building Size (total): 245,742-square-feet
Expansion Cost: $125 million
Building Exterior: Precast concrete
Architects: Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP; BLTa–A Perkins Eastman Studio
Construction Company: Wohlsen Construction Company
Project Lead: Marilou Smith, Assistant Vice President for Engineering and Construction, Villanova University
Construction Start Date: February 2022
Construction End Date: April 2024

Building Specifications

  • More than 20 additional research laboratory spaces—a 63% increase in engineering lab space.
  • The two-story Drosdick Innovation Lab, which includes laser and 3-D printers, workbenches and workspaces
  • The Jones Family Student Learning Commons, a community space at the heart of the building for all Villanovans to gather, study and learn
  • State-of-the-art instruction spaces that can adapt to small discussion and larger lecture formats
  • Dedicated and centrally located spaces for the College of Engineering’s master’s and doctoral students
  • Green roofs—instrumented with smart systems to collect and monitor climate and soil moisture data—which will serve as resources for cutting-edge teaching and research

Architectural Features

  • Designed in a Collegiate Gothic Revival style inspired by noted Philadelphia architect Charles Klauder, who was active in the 1920s through 1940s

Construction Data

  • 25,000 cubic yards of earth excavated
  • 367 windows installed (104 in the existing building and 263 in the expansion)
  • 971.2 tons of steel utilized
  • 488 pieces of precast with stone veneer

Environmentally Friendly Design

  • Designed for and seeking LEED Silver certification
  • An enhanced HVAC system that allows for the carbon reduction equivalent of five acres of mixed hardwood forest saved yearly
  • Low flow faucets and toilets—including a rainwater collection system—resulting in a 70% reduction of indoor water consumption for daily operations
  • Native and adaptive plant species planted in exterior landscapes, requiring little to no watering
  • Natural site hydrology processes for enhanced water conservation, including two rain gardens and a cistern
  • Use of high-performance glazing to reduce the effect of outdoor conditions on the indoor environment
  • Efficient LED lighting and advanced lighting controls such as daylighting and room occupancy sensors
  • Exterior parking and charging spaces dedicated for electric vehicles

Design Team Profiles

Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP

Robert A.M. Stern Architects, LLP, is a 200-person firm of architects, interior designers, and supporting staff. Over its fifty-year history, the firm has established an international reputation as a leading design firm with wide experience in residential, commercial, and institutional work. As the firm’s practice has diversified, its geographical scope has widened to include projects in Europe, Asia, South America, and throughout the United States. The firm maintains an attention to detail and commitment to design quality which has earned international recognition, numerous awards and citations for design excellence, including National Honor Awards of the American Institute of Architects.

BLTa–A Perkins Eastman Studio

Perkins Eastman is a global planning and design firm that has grown to include nearly 1,100 employees working out of a combined 24 interdisciplinary offices around the world. Our talented team of dreamers, thinkers, and doers promote a diverse design dialogue resulting in more thoughtful solutions to meet the challenges of today’s world.  As leaders in higher education, we have brought a deep understanding of how institutions are responding to advances in pedagogy, technology, behavioral science, and market forces to our projects with more than 200 colleges and universities around the globe. As a firm committed to the 2030 Challenge and the Paris Agreement through We Are Still In, we understand that we carry a tremendous responsibility in addressing climate change.

Wohlsen Construction Company

With over 130 years of building expertise, Wohlsen Construction Company is a trusted leader in construction management and general contracting in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast Regions. We offer clients comprehensive preconstruction and construction services for projects in diverse markets such as education, senior living, healthcare, industrial/manufacturing, and community-focused. Our 300+ team members are industry experts who apply their knowledge and skills to every project, from initial planning to completion. As a fully 100% employee-owned company, our team members are invested in the success of every project.