‘translational research center at penn’ by rafael vinoly architects in philadelphia, USA all images courtesy rafael vinoly architects photographer: brad feinknopf

internationally practicing architect rafael vinoly has completed the ‘translational research center at penn’, a 14-storey extension project in philadelphia, pennsylvania. building along the perimeter of the existing perelman center, the project unites research and clinical functions under one roof to allow the practices of scientific investigation and patient care to inform one another through close proximity. the new center is the first expansion phase in an overall master plan for penn medicine that includes both the university of pennsylvania health system and the university’s school of medicine.

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn general perspective

paying close attention to respect the original structures, the design works with the urban expression of the central atrium and the roberts proton therapy center, designed by tsoi kobus and associates. separated from the clinical floors by an interstitial mechanical level, seven stories of laboratory research spaces accommodates the facility’s new programming which includes two vivarium levels. these floors are elevated aboce the perelman center building in order to minimize noise pollution as well as make for a more efficient service access.

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn street view

above the vivarium levels, five floors of open, flexible research labs feature thirty-six lab modules per floor and can accommodate up to 105 researchers. to maximize the lab’s adaptability, the benches can be reconfigured or removed altogether to fit the needs of a multitude of functions.

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn elevation

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn approach

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn entrance

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn circulation space

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn office

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn lab space

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn auditorium

rafael vinoly architects: translational research center at penn