ON THE MAP | Amy Gutmann Hall: A Sustainable Timber Landmark for Data Science and AI at Penn

The University of Pennsylvania recently introduced a groundbreaking addition to its campus that also happens to be the tallest mass timber academic building on the East Coast: the Amy Gutmann Hall.

Designed by Lake Flato in partnership with KSS Architects, the building is Penn Engineering’s new dynamic, cross-disciplinary hub for data science education and research focused on harnessing the power of data and artificial intelligence (AI).

A Crossroads of Innovation, Sustainability, and Design

At six stories and 116,000 square feet and targeting LEED Gold certification, the cutting-edge mass timber system significantly reduces its carbon footprint (by 52% relative to concrete, and 41% relative to steel) while reinforcing its identity as a beacon of innovation.

The facility’s LEED certification and decreased embodied carbon underscore its alignment with Penn’s campus-wide sustainability objectives and can serve as a model for other institutional environments.

“By utilizing mass timber, we’ve created a space that not only reduces environmental impact, but also provides a warm, inviting atmosphere conducive to interdisciplinary research and learning,” said Andrew Herdeg, FAIA, Partner at Lake Flato.

Connecting Data Science and Biophilic Design

The hall’s biophilic design aims to connect occupants—who work largely in a digital realm—back to the natural world by maximizing views and daylight, integrating ecological environments into interior spaces, and incorporating sensory stimuli that encourage collaboration and comfort.

Flexible workspaces, shared laboratories, and open collaboration zones are organized around a central atrium with extensive glazing that celebrates natural light and visual connectivity, reflecting the transparent and interconnected nature of digital research. Natural materials, including the exposed wood and stone, and ecological features, such as a green wall, blur the boundaries between interior and exterior environments.

This human-centered approach reflects a growing recognition within higher-education architecture and design: that spaces for innovation must also nurture human connection and comfort.