--- title: "Hill College House | University of Pennsylvania – Keast & Hood" description: "Hill College House | University of Pennsylvania Built in the 1960s as a dormitory for the University of Pennsylvania's female students, the Eero Saarinen building is decorated with alternating horizontal and vertical windows, a theoretical "moat" and bridge. T" lang: en json-ld: | { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "CreativeWork", "name": "Hill College House | University of Pennsylvania", "url": "https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/portfolio-item/hill-college-house-university-of-pennsylvania", "description": "Hill College House | University of Pennsylvania Built in the 1960s as a dormitory for the University of Pennsylvania's female students, the Eero Saarinen building is decorated with alternating horizontal and vertical windows, a theoretical \"moat\" and bridge. T", "image": "https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-10-UP-Hill-College-House-Int-3.8.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) # Hill College House | University of Pennsylvania ![Hill College House | University of Pennsylvania](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-10-UP-Hill-College-House-Int-3.8.jpg) Built in the 1960s as a dormitory for the University of Pennsylvania's female students, the Eero Saarinen building is decorated with alternating horizontal and vertical windows, a theoretical "moat" and bridge. The interior contrasts with the guarded exterior by opening to a grand atrium dining area with sky-lights, flanked by residential and communal spaces. After an extensive feasibility study completed in 2011, Keast & Hood was retained to provide structural support for the building’s renovations and upgrades. The structural scope involves interventions for the partial removal of select bearing wall elements to create more open areas. Openings will also allow for the creation of an ADA entrance, insertion of a new elevator, extension of the southwest stair into the basement, and various floor and wall penetrations to support MEP infrastructure improvements. The lowering of a portion of the first floor expands the kitchen area for a larger dining area for students. Masonry repairs to the exterior bridge required structural support for new steel elements. The newly renovated building has been embraced by students and the university alike. It is a fitting update to an important modern building on Penn’s campus.  Principal Constantine G. Doukakis, PE (retired) Project Team Brian D. Wentz, PE, CDT | Allison L. Lukachik, PE, SE, CDT Client Mills + Schnoering Architects, LLC Location Philadelphia, PA Project Type Academic Project Scope Renovation Status Complete: 2018 Cost $56.5 Million ![Hill College House | University of Pennsylvania](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-10-ext-from-side-2-scaled.jpg) ![Hill College House | University of Pennsylvania](https://keast-hood.itigniter.com/media/imported/2024-10-Hill-College-House-Ext-3.8.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. [](https://www.linkedin.com/company/keast-&-hood/)[](https://www.instagram.com/keastandhood/) ## Expertise - [New Construction](/our-services/new-construction) - [Historic Preservation](/our-services/historic-preservation) - [Renovations | Additions | Adaptive Reuse](/our-services/renovation) - [Building Envelope](/our-services/building-envelope) - [Structural Investigation | Intervention](/our-services/structural_investigation_intervention) - [Sustainability](/our-services/sustainability) ## Philadelphia 1635 Market Street, Suite 1705 Philadelphia, PA 19103 [(215) 625-0099](tel:2156250099)[mail@keasthood.com](mailto:mail@keasthood.com) - [Careers](/careers) - [News + Articles](/category/news) © 2026 Keast & Hood Structural Engineers. All rights reserved. [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)