General Session: Penn State's solution for consolidating initiatives in shared next-generation research space

The innovative design of Penn State's new 248,000-gsf, $190-million Materials & Life Sciences Building reflects the demands that new research relationships, highly specialized equipment, and unique operational processes are placing on next-generation research facilities. Bob Cornwall describes Penn’s approach to balancing researcher interaction needs with the technical demands of characterization, fabrication, cleanroom, imaging, and vivarium space. He reveals the adjacency strategies that will allow for productive collaboration building on Penn’s materials, nanoscience and life science experience. Bob also details how the effects of construction cost escalation were managed for optimal research impact.

• Robert Cornwall , Managing Director, Materials Research Institute - Pennsylvania State University