University Health Services Building in University Park, PA

On the Penn State University Park Campus, university planners had decided to relocate and expand their University Health Services Facility. While the actual design for the building was being generated, our studio followed suit with the same exercise.

The program was complex, consolidating various scattered treatment areas including Counseling and Psychological Services, Physical Therapy, Clinical Services, Emergency Services, Health Education and Promotion, and many others.

By moving all these treatment areas into one building, it was hoped that the many disciplines that played a part in healing would have a chance to collaborate in their efforts. This project seeks to balance the public and private areas of the treatments. The central bar of the building becomes a public thoroughfare where a sectional curve follows visitors through the length of the building. Spaces like waiting areas and education and promotion resources are seated along this central path. The building is oriented east west so that the broad side faces south and takes advantage of the prolonged southern light that fills the central public waiting area.

As you move into the two side bars, the spaces become private, allowing one on one care from a practitioner in confidence. Spaces are divided intimately and care is taken at the scale of the individual, as opposed to the public scale of the center.

Fall 2005
Design and animation by Drew Weinheimer

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• formZ
• animation
• walkthrough
• architecture