Weiss Pavilion, Penn’s intercollegiate athletic weight training room and recreation center within the north arcade of Franklin Field, has been certified LEED Gold by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC). The fitness center inhabits the space of the arches on two levels and connects the interior concourse space under the stadium bleachers with the new east-west exterior pedestrian promenade.

Weiss Pavilion exhibits one of the University’s oldest architectural traditions – preservation through adaptive reuse. The former site of parking spots has been revitalized by 52,000 square feet of space that includes a weight training facility for Penn student-athletes; a fitness center for students, faculty, and staff; and retail establishments. The project’s innovative combination of excavation and infill has redefined Penn’s hundred-year-old football stadium and has added new usable space without increasing the building’s footprint.

Approximately 95 percent of demolition and construction waste from Weiss Pavilion was diverted from disposal in landfills by salvaging, reusing, and recycling materials. The excavated soil from the site was utilized in the construction of the landforms at Penn Park.

Inside the facility, high efficiency restroom fixtures reduce water use by up to 30 percent. High performance building systems optimize energy performance and a green cleaning plan implements sustainable cleaning products and methods for better indoor air quality.

While natural light accompanies views to Penn Park and the future site of Shoemaker Green from the first and second floors of the Fox Fitness Center, glass panels embedded in the concrete outside the façade allow daylight to reach even the basement, which houses a state-of-the-art varsity strength and conditioning center.

Weiss Pavilion is Penn's fifth facility to become LEED Certified, following the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine (Silver), Music Building (Gold), Morris Arboretum Horticulture Center (Platinum), and Joe's Cafe (Gold, Commercial Interiors).

Read more about the construction process and previous rave reviews of Weiss Pavilion by following the links below:

Weiss Pavilion receives LEED Gold certification | The Daily Pennsylvanian

Weiss Pavilion a big hit |  The Daily Pennsylvanian

Athletes kick, fight to top form |  The Daily Pennsylvanian