Philadelphia University College of Design, Engineering & Commerce…

Philadelphia Universitys new DEC Center is a 38,500-square-foot multi-purpose building that is as innovative and unique as the College of Design, Engineering, and Commerce curriculum it will support. Built to LEED® standards, the building boasts a large two-story forum space as well as specialized equipment including a 3D printer. As impressive as the interior space and contents are, the exterior, with its distinctive metallic shell for climate control may be even more interesting.

Hot-dip galvanized steel, which provides many years of maintenance-free corrosion protection and is 100% recyclable, was a perfect fit for the structure.

The perforated metal shell arches effortlessly around the building providing an aesthetically-pleasing sense of movement. This chief architectural feature that wraps the principle rectangular box is constructed with hot-dip galvanized steel. The curved metal panels, which resemble watermill wheels, provide climate control, which added to the buildings overall LEED® score.

As the purpose of the metallic screen was to increase the sustainability of the DEC Center, the designers naturally wanted to use sustainable materials in the architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS). Hot-dip galvanized steel, which provides many years of maintenance-free corrosion protection and is 100% recyclable, was a perfect fit for the structure.

The Philadelphia DEC Center has a plethora of natural light from the many windows, and the interior space is capable of morphing into various configurations to accommodate designs exhibits, social events, and more. According to the University, the College teaches students to think creatively, brainstorm out-of-the-box ideas, and work collaboratively to come up with groundbreaking solutions to complex problems. The progressive movement of this learning approach is perfectly symbolized in the innovative, signature hot-dip galvanized steel curved metal panels.