Penn's Weitzman Hall has earned LEED Platinum certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, the highest level of recognition for sustainable building design and construction. The project combined the adaptive reuse of the historic building formerly known as Morgan Hall with a new addition along Smith Walk, creating a vibrant home for the Weitzman School of Design while advancing Penn’s Climate & Sustainability Action Plan 4.0 goals

Preserving History, Reducing Environmental Impact

Rather than demolishing and replacing the structure, a project team that included leaders from the Weitzman School of Design and Penn Facilities & Real Estate Services chose to modernize and expand the historic building, which opened in 1892. Adaptive reuse reduces demolition waste, conserves materials, and extends the life of existing buildings. The renovation improved performance through upgraded roof insulation, new windows, and modernized building systems while preserving significant historic features and maintaining an important part of Penn's architectural heritage.

Learn more about the project's preservation strategy in Architectural Renewal, part of the Weitzman School's six-part article series, The Making of Weitzman Hall. 

A 1902 image of the building once known as the Morgan Laboratory of Physics, which was originally built in 1892 as part of the Foulke and Long Institute, an orphanage. (Image credit: University Archives and Records Center)

Efficient Use of Energy and Water

Sustainability goals shaped the project from the earliest planning stages. The team incorporated energy-efficient building systems, upgraded HVAC equipment, advanced energy metering, and water-saving fixtures designed to reduce resource consumption and support long-term building performance. The historic Morgan Building's thick masonry walls also contributed to the project's sustainability strategy. Analysis showed that investments in roof insulation and window replacement would yield greater energy savings than insulating the existing masonry walls, allowing the project to preserve historic character while limiting the use of additional insulation materials

Additional details are available in the Sustainability installment of The Making of Weitzman Hall series. 

The south facade of Weitzman Hall with Penn Engineering's Towne Building at right (Image credit: Gordon Stillman)

Sustainable Materials and Construction

The project also earned LEED credits for its use of environmentally responsible building materials. The design team selected products with documented environmental attributes while ensuring that exterior materials complemented the architectural character of the surrounding campus. For example, handmade bricks used for the new addition were carefully sourced to complement neighboring historic buildings while supporting the project's sustainability objectives. Material reuse and careful resource management during construction further reduced environmental impacts.

The story behind the building's distinctive masonry is explored in a Weitzman Bricks article.

Design That Honors Academic Goals

The project required the careful integration of historic preservation and new construction within a dense urban setting. In doing so, it demonstrates how sustainability and design excellence can work hand in hand while reflecting Penn and the Weitzman School's leadership in addressing complex architectural challenges.