PennWest California – Science Building
Courtesy of DRAW Collective
PennWest California – Science Building
Courtesy of DRAW Collective
PennWest California – Science Building
Courtesy of DRAW Collective
PennWest California – Science Building
Courtesy of DRAW Collective
PennWest California – Science Building
Courtesy of DRAW Collective
PennWest California – Science Building
Courtesy of DRAW Collective
PennWest California – Science Building
Courtesy of DRAW Collective
PennWest California – Science Building
Courtesy of DRAW Collective
Pennsylvania Western University is constructing a 63,500-sf science building to advance education and research in the natural sciences. Located on the PennWest California campus, the $39 million facility was designed by DRAW Collective to foster experiential learning and put science on display. Driving interdisciplinary collaboration, the three-story structure will house 17 labs and 19 science support areas tailored for disciplines including biology, physics, chemistry, microbiology, ecology, and anatomy and physiology. Highly flexible lab environments will accommodate a wide variety of class types and sizes, significantly enhancing functionality and responsiveness to evolving pedagogies.
A new outdoor zone with stepped seating arrangements will include a greenhouse and a curated herbarium. The project also involves the demolition of two existing buildings to create open lawn areas for informal interaction and study. The state-funded development will prioritize sustainability through the inclusion of energy-efficient features, which are expected to reduce energy use by 20 percent as compared to similar facilities.
Rycon Construction broke ground on the building in January of 2025 and occupancy is slated for early 2027.
| Organization | Project Role |
|---|---|
|
DRAW Collective
|
Architect
|
|
Rycon Construction
|
General Contractor
|
