The Power of Penn Campaign has fueled an extraordinary period of growth at Penn Engineering, including support for a new data science building, set to break ground in 2022. In October 2021, the building was officially named Amy Gutmann Hall, in honor of Penn’s longest-serving President.
A recent gift from Arihant Patni, ENG’98, will name one of the building’s group study spaces. “Arihant’s generous commitment is helping to accelerate our development of a leading-edge data facility to further Penn Engineering’s reach and impact through the cross disciplinary work of data science,” says Vijay Kumar, Penn Engineering Professor and Nemirovsky Family Dean.
Amy Gutmann Hall will feature many different types of study spaces, including small phonebooth-style areas for 1-2 people, along with bigger spaces for larger and louder collaboration. “We received strong feedback from our students and faculty about the types of spaces they need,” says Leandra Davis, Senior Director, Penn Engineering. “Recent experience with open layouts at Pennovation and 3401 Walnut has led us to design lab and office environments that will bring people together and form multi-departmental areas for working, no matter how large or small the group.” Designed by award-winning architecture firm Lake Flato with help from KSS Architects, the building will serve as a campus-wide hub for students and faculty to collaborate and innovate.
I am thrilled to see Penn Engineering’s infrastructure grow considerably since I graduated in 1998. It is now one of the leading engineering schools in the country.”Arihant Patni, ENG’98
As Penn’s campus evolves to meet the future needs of students, scholars, and community members, Amy Gutmann Hall will be a home for all things data derived. “In any discipline across campus, data and computation are playing an increasing role in how we understand the world and make decisions,” says Dr. Zach Ives, Adani President’s Distinguished Professor and Chair in Computer and Information Science at Penn Engineering. “The way we approach teaching at Penn Engineering is team-oriented. Data science touches many areas, and we’re excited about new opportunities for students to work together and find creative solutions to today’s most important issues.”
