University Park, Pa. -- Further developing the Penn State Dickinson School of Law as a dual-campus law school with a single identity, the Penn State Board of Trustees Friday (Sept. 15) approved final plans for a new Dickinson School of Law Building at University Park.
The new building, designed by Polshek Partnership Architects, LLP of New York Office for Planning and Architecture of Harrisburg, will be located north of Park Avenue on Bigler Road, and will be aligned with the University's environmental initiatives through a green roof that will reduce stormwater run-off while enhancing energy and prolonging the life of the roof. The University plans to seek LEED certification for the building.
With three floors and a lower level and a 113,000-square-foot building footprint, the new facility will be located in a prominent location, adjacent to the future arboretum and in close proximity to the Business and Forest Resources Buildings, said Gary C. Schultz, senior vice president for finance and business/treasurer of the University. The new law school home at University Park will be the first academic building visible in approaching from the east and its location will maximize use of natural light as well as views of the arboretum and Mount Nittany.
The main entrance on the west side of the building is on Bigler Road, accessible by a vehicular drop-off area. New walkways will enhance pedestrian access to Park Avenue and campus destinations to the south. A terraced courtyard will accommodate large outdoor events such as graduation and alumni functions, and a raised plaza will expand the use of an adjacent cafe.
To the east, the main entrance will be accessible by a vehicular drop-off and a parking lot for 350 cars that will serve the law school and buildings north of Services Road.
The first floor -- terraced to follow the natural slope of the site -- will include three 75-seat tiered classrooms, a 50-seat courtroom and a 250-seat auditorium. The main entrance on the first floor will lead to the commons, which will include gathering spaces with seating for about 40. A law clinic, where volunteers will offer pro bono legal services, admissions and administrative support also will be located on the first floor. A cafe will provide seating for about 40 with additional seating in the outdoor plaza, adjacent to the arboretum.
The east side of the building's second floor will include 19 faculty offices, three 30-seat seminar rooms, a faculty lounge, student services, law review offices and a 15-seat conference room. The dean's and development suites also will reside on the second floor. On the west side, the second floor will include the glass-enclosed library, with a two-story information commons, four group study rooms and 11 offices among the features. Library spaces will comprise about 50 percent of the building program.
A ramp, lined with student study carrels with views of the arboretum, will lead to the third floor. This portion of the library will include the main stacks, a reading room oriented toward Mount Nittany and an enclosed rare books room. The east side of the third floor will include 18 faculty offices, career services, four interview rooms, space for student organizations, a group study room and a 15-seat conference room.
The lower level of the building will include a classroom, library storage, copy center and mechanical and janitorial spaces.
The west elevation of the building will be primarily glass and stone. The east elevation will be stone, brick, metal and glass. A portion of the site, meanwhile, has been reserved for potential expansion or separate building.