The Pavilion at the University of Pennsylvania

The Pavilion at the University of Pennsylvania

"The rooms needed to feel comfortable and take on a homelike vibe, be restorative, and yet be durable and easy to clean and disinfect. We were tasked with elevating a state-of-the-art facility with the best finishes available at an appropriate price point.”

— Bob Schaefer, Wilsonart Product Manager at Fessenden Hall, Inc.

The Pavilion at the University of Pennsylvania is one of the country’s newest destinations for state-of-the-art medical care. Boasting an impressive 17 stories, 504 private patient rooms, and 47 operating rooms, the facility opened its doors in late 2021 and has quickly become a national “beacon of hope” for families. The impact of the Pavilion can’t be overstated. A staggering 1.5 million square feet of space is now home to teams who are transforming the healthcare landscape on a daily basis.

Unsurprisingly, the Pavilion required extensive planning. The PennFIRST team was assembled in 2017 to complete the project, consisting of University of Pennsylvania executives, architects, designers, and a general contractor. Wilsonart representatives collaborated with PennFIRST team members throughout the endeavor. As members of the Integrated Project Delivery team, Wilsonart representatives played a critical role in designing the hospital to ensure that every surface elevated the vision of several stakeholders.

THE CHALLENGE

Delays from the COVID-19 pandemic and the sheer size of the project were both obstacles in completing the Pavilion. The Pavilion also evolved in scale and architectural complexity as the project progressed. An updated timeline was developed once construction resumed in 2020, and crews worked diligently to finalize the massive undertaking before the grand opening on October 30th, 2021.

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“We faced many challenges in the middle of manufacturing. But we were always able to receive Solid Surface Wide Sheets from Wilsonart, which helped us make up for the three month delay, and helped save time and money.”

— Shaun Evans, Chief Operations Officer at Evans + Paul

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“The University was adamant that they wanted a product that truly minimized their issues with infection control, but also wanted some decorative properties. The Wilsonart® Solid Surface used across the building is architecturally pleasing, but more importantly, it’s end-user friendly.”

— Tim Bamford, Senior Project Manager at PDM Constructors

THE SURFACES

A dramatic number of Wilsonart surfaces were installed to complete the Pavilion, and Wilsonart® Solid Surface led the way. More than 10,000 sheets of Solid Surface, equivalent to 300,000 sq. ft., can be found in patient rooms and staff areas, and on furniture. Using Solid Surface directly on furniture was a manufacturing feat that allows for cohesive styling throughout the hospital. Custom Wilsonart® Solid Surface designs were placed on patient room headwalls to inspire unique spaces for treatment and recovery. Additionally, more than 1,300 Solid Surface sinks were installed for daily use.

WALL ICELAND FOG 9907SS

Over 1,500 Wilsonart® Laminate sheets completed the coordinated effort and were used as the standard casework finish. Any hospital requires sufficient cabinetry for storage, but the needs of the Pavilion are far beyond that of a traditional hospital.

Wilsonart® Laminate provides a stunning result that can be installed extensively at a reasonable price point.

“We enjoy that Wilsonart is producing engineered surfaces that look like natural stone. This is beneficial in that natural stone is very inconsistent in color and quality.

With engineered surfaces you can have the look of stone and be very consistent with the color and quality. This is huge when it comes to large projects. I can’t imagine trying to source granite or marble for 600 vanities.”

— Kevin Casterline, Director of Communications at ASST

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COUNTERTOP S I LV E R S M O K E 9226SS

For a clean, contemporary look, Wilsonart® Solid Surface in Designer White (D354SL) was used for countertops and wall protection/wainscoting in corridors, desks, and showers. The custom headwalls and handwashing counters in patient rooms were made possible with Iceland Fog (9907SS) and Hamilton (9906SS), respectively. Frosty White Mirage (1573MG) was the perfect solution for countertops in staff areas.

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COUNTERTOP DESIGNER WHITE D354SL

COUNTERTOP DESIGNER WHITE D354SL

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COUNTERTOP C U S T O M H A M I LT O N 9906SS

COUNTERTOP FROSTY WHITE MIRAGE 1573MG

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T H E R E S U LT

Penn Pavilion is a medical and architectural marvel on par with the most renowned hospitals in the world. The facility is also the largest capital project completed by the University of Pennsylvania. After years of meticulous planning and concepting, the Pavilion is widely considered the perfect synthesis of unparalleled care and thoughtful design.

“This hospital will now be the standard to which other hospitals are built, largely due to its innovation and design. It was a pleasure and honor to be involved in the Pavilion project, which will be a beacon of hope for so many people; not just the patients that need care, but for everyone involved in the build, the employees, and the community.”

— Bob Schaefer, Wilsonart Product Manager at Fessenden Hall, Inc.

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COUNTERTOP FROSTY WHITE MIRAGE 1573MG

As the second largest hospital in the United States, the Pavilion is equipped with sizable, dedicated teams and the capacity to welcome families from across the globe. Penn Pavilion is also the largest hospital in the country to achieve LEED Gold certification, thanks to the use of innovative materials and conscious craftsmanship.

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