University of Pennsylvania VLEST

The University of Pennsylvania added the Vagelos Laboratory for Energy Science and Technology (VLEST) to its growing list of research facilities. This building is the new home to the University’s existing and future energy research programs. Behnisch Architekten led the design effort of the 110,000 sf, highly sustainable building. Acentech provided both acoustics and vibration consulting for the entire project.

The Vagelos Laboratory houses High Performance Optics Labs, Fume-Intensive Chemistry Labs, a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectrometer Suite with Helium Recovery, faculty offices, collaboration areas, and support spaces across six floors. Acentech’s experts collaborated with the designers to provide the necessary vibration and acoustic isolation measures for the sensitive laboratories. Acentech also provided mechanical systems noise and vibration control services to ensure that the vibration and noise generated by building systems will be consistent with the building’s design goals.

The new VLEST is located on the edge of the University of Pennsylvania campus near the David Rittenhouse Laboratory and The Palestra athletic facility. Acentech’s consultants implemented a design that effectively addressed significant environmental noise challenges through the use of extensive mitigation strategies. We also paid special attention to the adjacent railway bed, and specified design measures to mitigate structural vibration caused by passing trains. This new building is designed to solidify UPenn’s premier energy and technology research status for years to come.