Penn State Behrend Federal House Renovation & Addition by GBBN: A Harmonious Blend of History and Modern Design

Located in Erie, Pennsylvania, the Penn State Behrend Federal House Renovation & Addition by GBBN Architects is a masterful example of historic preservation seamlessly combined with contemporary architecture. Completed in 2022, this 11,000 ft² educational and office building revitalizes the oldest brick structure on campus while providing state-of-the-art spaces for community engagement and learning.

Preserving History, Embracing the Future

The Federal House, a cornerstone of Penn State Behrend’s history, has been gracefully restored to honor its legacy. GBBN’s thoughtful addition—a light-filled modern barn structure—slips naturally into the steeply graded site, connected to the historic Federal House via an elegant glass bridge. This design strategy not only preserves the architectural integrity of the original building but also elevates its presence, creating a dialogue between past and present.

Functionality Meets Community Impact

The renovated and expanded building serves as the new home for the Susan Hirt Hagen Center for Community Outreach, Research, and Evaluation (CORE), under the Penn State Behrend School of Humanities and Social Sciences. CORE focuses on positive youth development, mentorship, and education programs, particularly in Erie County, where nearly one in three children under five face poverty. By providing offices, classrooms, and an 80-person event space, the facility fosters an inclusive environment, communicating care, value, and security to its young visitors.

Design Features

• Contrast and Harmony: The barn’s expansive glass walls provide a contemporary contrast to the solid, historic brick of the Federal House, while its dark gray zinc roof panels mirror the original gabled roof.
• Welcoming Warmth: A wood-wrapped entrance softens the building’s modern aesthetic, creating a welcoming gesture for visitors.
• Inclusive Spaces: The interior accommodates small classrooms, mentoring areas, and event spaces, emphasizing comfort, openness, and accessibility.

Through its sensitive renovation and thoughtful addition, the Federal House project demonstrates how historic architecture can be adaptively reused to serve modern community needs, blending sustainability, inclusivity, and architectural excellence.

All photographs are works of Brad Feinknopf