Dual Use of Space

Since 1938, two water towers of similar design have dominated the skyline of the central part of the Penn State Campus at University Park. One tower is adjacent to the Nittany Lion Inn and were Beaver Stadium was located until 1960 (now the location of Kern, Keller and Mateer Buildings, and the Mt. Nittany Parking Deck). The other was located a half mile east between Hort Woods and the recently built School of Architecture’s Stuckeman Family Building. That water tower was replace in 2017 with a larger tower, both in terms of volume and height, as part of a project to improve water quality and quantity. Both towers are excellent examples of the dual use of space. The area under the remaining 1938 tower houses the Biomechanics Teaching Lab behind a brick facade. The space under the new tower was designed for multi-use with a raised terrace, cover, tables, chairs and other seating, and multi-colored lighting. Its out of the way location makes it a quite space in the middle of campus, used by students and faculty to meet, study, or relax, as well as for small functions. Also included below are a couple of photos taken this week that show spring blooming on campus.