Penn State University Animal, Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences Building

The research and teaching conducted by the College of Agricultural Sciences at Penn State are critical for ensuring the stability of the U.S. food supply chain and for advancing human and animal health. These activities also make significant contributions to Pennsylvania’s economy.

HOK designed a new four-story building to replace the outdated Henning Building on Penn State’s University Park campus. The goal was to create a cutting-edge facility that would attract top faculty, staff and students while supporting transdisciplinary research in animal science, veterinary and biomedical sciences.

The new building includes research labs, offices, classrooms, a 100-seat first-floor classroom and a 48-seat lecture room. A study lounge and open conference areas in the lobby allow for collaborative and private work.

Co-locating the related Animal Science and the Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences departments in the same building provides opportunities for synergies in their research and teaching programs. Collaboration zones encourage cross-departmental collaboration and offer flexibility in allocating lab space.

Open labs with dedicated and shared support facilities replace the Henning Building’s obsolete cellular labs. Desk space is outside the labs, along with conference and informal collaboration areas.

Glass-enclosed corridors at the first, second and third floors link the new facility to the adjacent Agricultural Sciences and Industries Building.

The University Park campus is known for its picturesque grounds, beautiful outdoor areas, and mix of traditional and modern architecture. The building’s exterior is made of stone, brick, glass and metal panels. The team designed it to blend in with the site’s existing heritage trees, and there is a partial green roof above the first floor.