University of Pennsylvania – Hill College House

Designed by architect Eero Saarinen in 1958 for the University of Pennsylvania, Hill College House is an internationally recognized architectural landmark. Originally a women’s dormitory, the building’s entry is a bridge, and the surrounding spiked metal fence encloses a grassy moat around the building. The living spaces, including five floors of dorm rooms for 500 (now co-ed) students, lounges, and seminar rooms, are built around a central atrium that overlooks a dining area on the lower level.

A major renovation of the building addressed its maintenance and upgrade needs. Work included the conversion of all bathrooms to individual restrooms and shower rooms, renovations to all dorm rooms and common spaces, significant upgrades to MEP systems, and a major upgrade to the kitchen and dining areas. The building envelope was improved with a new roof and curtainwall, existing masonry was repaired, and two roof terraces were upgraded. Existing windows were removed, refurbished, and reinstalled as part of the project, and a new bridge was constructed at the building’s entry.