Swarthmore College Opens First Phase of Biology, Engineering, and Psychology Building

Swarthmore College opened the $120 million Maxine Frank Singer '52 Hall in September of 2019 in Swarthmore, Pa. Designed by Ballinger to accommodate programs in biology, engineering, and psychology, the 160,000-sf facility provides flexible classrooms, labs, and common spaces to support enhanced pedagogical experiences linked to environmental sustainability. The interdisciplinary building comprises a lab wing, a garden pavilion containing departmental offices, and a transparent three-story commons. The project was developed according to Swarthmore’s Environmental Sustainability Framework, a standard equivalent to LEED Platinum, with some elements exceeding LEED Platinum criteria. The structure utilizes an extensive geothermal system and integrates sophisticated energy modeling technologies to optimize post-occupancy performance. Construction began on the project in spring of 2017, with full occupancy slated for fall of 2020.