Penn State ECoRE

Penn State’s Engineering Collaboration and Research Building (ECoRE), the largest newly-constructed academic building on the University Park campus, brings together multiple engineering departments—including aerospace, architecture, civil, environmental, and acoustics—within a single, cutting-edge facility. Designed by Payette, the 283,000 SF building houses more than 35 advanced laboratories, next-generation teaching spaces, a library, dining facilities, spacious lounges and study areas, and both faculty and administrative offices.

Our acousticians worked closely with the design team on architectural acoustics, addressing both sound isolation and room acoustics to ensure each space is acoustically suited to its intended function. Special attention was given to preserving quiet environments by preventing noise intrusion from labs or adjacent meeting spaces. Acentech also provided key recommendations for HVAC equipment silencers and other noise and vibration control measures, including treatments to minimize exterior noise from exhaust fans and cooling towers.

Low-vibration research spaces—including anechoic chambers, wind tunnels, and flight simulation and structural engineering labs—are located below grade. In one basement lab, Penn State constructed a wind tunnel within a soundproof room (formally known as an Aero Anechoic Chamber Flow Through) to measure high-decibel noise. Among the building’s high-profile research initiatives is a collaboration with NASA on “Dragonfly,” a rotorcraft mission launching in 2028 to explore Saturn’s moon Titan.

ECoRE was honored with a 2025 AIA National Education Facility Design Award and recognized for “design excellence that is sustainable, resilient, and inclusive.” It complements the $88 million Engineering Design and Innovation Building (EDIB), which opened in 2023.