Penn State University, MBNA Career Services Center, University Park, Pennsylvania
This unique facility is Penn State’s first building to be named for its corporate sponsor. It houses two separate University Departments. Career Services which provides career counseling services to students and alumni, and The Morgan Center which provides support and counseling to scholarship athletes.
The design solution recognizes that this is a “gateway building” - many first time visitors to the University Park Campus will be directed to this building. It also reflects the two separate components of the building within an overall coordinated design.
The main “corporate” entrance is strengthen by a vertical bay window and animated by a series of banners, curved bracket support, and a large roof overhang. The south elevation is deliberately contrasted in scale with sun control devices and an outdoor terrace. A Cafeteria and flow-thru circulation are intended to draw students through the building to merchandize the services provided in this important facility. Major materials reflect the general campus vocabulary of masonry buildings with limestone trim.
Weber Murphy Fox was a member of a design-build team that delivered this high quality facility on a fast track schedule - on time and on budget.
