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Stuart Weitzman School of Design

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At Shenandoah National Park, the past, present, and future of a historic center of Black life
A historical photo of a group from Washington, D.C. traveling through Shenandoah National Park.

Lewis Mountain was the center of Black life at Shenandoah National Park during the late 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Under Jim Crow, it was the only area designed to offer overnight accommodations to Black visitors. It was also the only area within the park run by and for Black campers, providing a safe space for recreation. This undated historic photo shows a group from Washington, D.C. traveling through Shenandoah National Park.

(Image: Personal collection of Reed Engle, National Park Service)

At Shenandoah National Park, the past, present, and future of a historic center of Black life

The Urban Heritage Project, an initiative of the Weitzman School’s Department of Historic Preservation, is working with the National Park Service to evaluate historically segregated cabin camps as nationally significant cultural heritage sites.

From the Weitzman School of Design

What’s That? Sun shades at the Vagelos Lab
Sun shades attached to building windows.

The sun shades on the Vagelos Institute for Energy Science and Technology.

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What’s That? Sun shades at the Vagelos Lab

The shades account for solar geometry to make for an eye-catching view from the east and west—all while reducing energy usage.
Penn students present work to help rebuild Ukrainian city
Students from Penn and Eugenie Birch stand with members of the US Department of State and the Ukrainian Ambassador.

Weitzman students at the Penn Biden Center in Washington, D.C. with Oksana Markarova (Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States), Dorothy McAuliffe (U.S. Special Representative for Global Partnerships, Department of State), John Thompson (Deputy Assistant Secretary for Environment, Department of State) and Eugenie Birch (co-director, Penn IUR).

(Image: Courtesy of the U.S. Department of State)

Penn students present work to help rebuild Ukrainian city

With the two-year anniversary of the Russian full-scale invasion of Ukraine looming, city planners begin to strategize solutions to rebuild, sustainably.
25 years of ‘LOVE’
dramatic light on Robert Indiana’s LOVE statue on Penn’s caption.

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25 years of ‘LOVE’

The iconic sculpture by pop artist Robert Indiana arrived on campus in 1999 and soon became a natural place to come together.

Louisa Shepard

Weitzman’s Vanessa Grossman on the cultural value of architecture
Vanessa Grossman.

Image: Eric Sucar

Weitzman’s Vanessa Grossman on the cultural value of architecture

In a Q&A, the architect, historian, and curator discusses her research and published books, which explore the relationship between architecture, politics, and social movements.

From the Weitzman School of Design

Celebrating the Projects for Progress 2023 cohort
Chaz Howard stands with the recipients of the 2023 Projects for Progress awards.

Charles “Chaz” Howard (left) honored the recipients of the 2023 Projects for Progress Awards: UCC; Positioned for Success; and The Breathing Room teams.

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Celebrating the Projects for Progress 2023 cohort

At an event on Jan. 30, three winning project groups were honored for ‘choosing to help make lives better.’
Regenerative Ag Alliance promotes stream health through agroforestry
New trees planted in a field.

Image: Courtesy of the Environmental Innovations Initiative

Regenerative Ag Alliance promotes stream health through agroforestry

The Alliance planted an initial 250 trees at New Bolton Center with assistance from volunteers and students from Penn’s School of Veterinary Medicine and the Stuart Weitzman School of Design.

From the Environmental Innovations Initiative

Harnessing ancient materials and AI for sustainable architecture
Weitzman students prepare for their mid-year review in Meyerson Hall.

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Harnessing ancient materials and AI for sustainable architecture

The Weitzman School’s Robotics Lab and master’s program combines robotics, artificial intelligence, and automated systems in manufacturing and architectural design in ways that are adaptable and sustainable.

From the Weitzman School of Design

Exchanging climate knowledge at COP28
cop28 exterior

Image: Dominika Zarzycka/NurPhoto via AP

Exchanging climate knowledge at COP28

More than two dozen researchers from schools and centers across the University traveled to Dubai for the UN’s annual climate change conference.