--- title: "Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics | University of Pennsylvania – Keast & Hood" description: "Ronald O. Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics (PCPSE) | University of Pennsylvania Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the creation of a unified 6-story academic building at the University of Pennsylvania. The project included reno" lang: en json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics | University of Pennsylvania", "url": "https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/portfolio-item/perelman-center-for-political-science-and-economics-university-of-pennsylvania", "description": "Ronald O. Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics (PCPSE) | University of Pennsylvania Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the creation of a unified 6-story academic building at the University of Pennsylvania. The project included reno", "image": "https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-08-UP-PCPSE-Exterior-Dusk-Small.jpg", "creator": { "@type": "Organization", "name": "Keast & Hood" } } --- [![Keast & Hood Structural Engineers](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/__l5e/assets-v1/63f6ea4d-7417-4ea8-ae63-b974b4bc82b0/kh-logo-blue.svg)](/) [Home](/) [Expertise](/our-services) [New Construction Efficient, elegant structural systems for ambitious new buildings. ](/our-services/new-construction)[Historic Preservation Careful intervention that keeps landmark buildings standing and in use. ](/our-services/historic-preservation)[Renovations | Additions | Adaptive Reuse Renovations, additions and adaptive reuse that unlock existing structures. ](/our-services/renovation)[Building Envelope Facade, roof and waterproofing assessment for durable enclosures. ](/our-services/building-envelope)[Structural Investigation | Intervention Investigation, testing and repair strategies for troubled structures. ](/our-services/structural_investigation_intervention)[Sustainability Low-carbon structural design guided by our SE2050 commitment. ](/our-services/sustainability) ### 70 years of structural expertise From landmark preservation to net-zero new construction, see how our engineering shapes each project. [View all projects](/projects) [Projects](/projects) [About Us](/aboutus) [People Meet the engineers behind the work. ](/aboutus/people)[Legacy Seven decades of landmark projects. ](/aboutus/legacy)[News + Articles Firm news, awards and insights. ](/category/news)[Social Feed The latest from our studio. ](/social-feed) ### Join our team We are always looking for curious engineers who love buildings. [See open roles](/careers) [Careers](/careers) [Contact](/contact-us) # Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics | University of Pennsylvania ![Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics | University of Pennsylvania](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-08-UP-PCPSE-Exterior-Dusk-Small.jpg) Keast & Hood provided structural engineering for the creation of a unified 6-story academic building at the University of Pennsylvania. The project included renovation of the existing 54,440SF West Philadelphia Title and Trust Co. building built in 1925 and the construction of a new 56,700SF addition to the north.   The addition includes a 120-seat auditorium, classroom space, faculty offices, collaboration areas, and computing rooms. Project highlights include: A 30-foot cantilevering feature stair, comprised of architecturally exposed structural steel that connects three floors; Retention and supplementation of the existing building’s structure; story high transfer trusses that support four floors above and one floor below to enable an unobstructed lower level auditorium; thin, flat-plate concrete floors that align with the existing building’s floor elevations for seamless transitions between the two structures. LEED Silver certification is anticipated. Principal Constantine G. Doukakis, PE (retired) Project Team Allison Lukachik, PE, SE, CDT | Christian J. Kronenwetter, PE | Alexander J. Stadel, PE Client Blumberg Architects Location Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Project Type Higher Education Project Scope Addition & Renovation Status Complete: 2018 Cost $77.6 Million ![Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics | University of Pennsylvania](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-08-UP-PCPSE-Exterior-Dusk-Small.jpg) ![Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics | University of Pennsylvania](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-08-UP-PCPSE-Exterior-Rear-Small.jpg) ![Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics | University of Pennsylvania](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-08-UP-PCPSE-Interior-Small.jpg) ![Perelman Center for Political Science and Economics | University of Pennsylvania](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-08-UP-PCPSE-Stair-Small.jpg) [All Projects](/projects) ![Keast & Hood Structural Engineers](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/__l5e/assets-v1/80bc79b1-0211-4ea5-8b9b-47b698c8eca0/kh-logo-reverse.svg) A certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBE), Small Business Enterprise (SBE), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) delivering structural engineering solutions for over 70 years. 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