Material Science and Engineering Building (Steidle Hall) | Pennsylvania State University

Photography © Halkin Mason Photography

The Material Science and Engineering Building, known as Steidle Hall, serves as the home of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Pennsylvania State University and supports one of the nation’s premier materials research and education programs. Originally designed in the 1930s by architect Charles Klauder, the building underwent a transformative expansion and modernization to meet the evolving needs of advanced research, teaching, and collaboration.

The project combined a comprehensive 60,000-square-foot renovation with a 40,000-square-foot addition, creating a modern facility while preserving and adapting the historic structure. The completed building includes state-of-the-art wet and dry laboratories, classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, and faculty offices that support both academic instruction and cutting-edge research.

Key components of the project included a cast-in-place concrete frame addition, vibration analysis and optimization to accommodate highly sensitive laboratory equipment, and post-tensioned transfer girders that enabled large, column-free lecture hall spaces on the first floor. Significant modifications to the existing building also required seismic analysis to evaluate and support alterations to the original structure, ensuring the successful integration of new and existing construction.

A central feature of the renovated facility is the new atrium and feature stair, which enhances circulation throughout the building and creates opportunities for interaction among students, faculty, and researchers. The result is a revitalized academic and research facility that balances the character of a historic campus landmark with the performance requirements of a world-class engineering program.