Project Intent StatementNuclear engineering has the potential to revolutionize energy, and Penn State's Nuclear Engineering department aimed to create a multifunctional space for education and collaboration. The result is the Nuclear Innovation Commons, featuring a large, flexible central area with modular furniture, private meeting rooms, and an adaptable instructional lab. As designers, we focused on creating a space that reflects the field of nuclear engineering, drawing inspiration from industrial geometries, colors, and patterns. Design elements, such as lighting inspired by fission reactions and ceiling patterns echoing reactor vault doors, subtly connect the space to its nuclear roots, inspiring students and professionals alike.
Project Image Credits
Image #1Ed Rombout
Image #2Ed Rombout
Image #3Ed Rombout
Project Team
Team MembersR3A:
Deepak Wadhwani, AIA, NCARB, LEED AP;
Jozef Petrak, Associate AIA, LEED GA;
Jon Williams, AIA;
Luke Treskovich, AIA, NCARB
Project Contributors1. Cris Harbaugh, Mechanical, CJL Engineering, Electrical, and Plumbing Engineer;
2. Russell Rice, National Woodwork, Wood Ceiling Fabricator;
3. Jason Young, Leonard S. Fiore, Inc., General Contractor