About this project

Drexel’s School of Public Health has skyrocketed in popularity and stature in the last several years. With its meteoric rise came the need to unify the program under one roof and create a cohesive identity for the School. Until recently, classes were held scattershot throughout separate buildings on Drexel’s Center City campus.

Enter Nesbitt Hall, a quintessential 1960s academic building, anchoring the center of the University’s main campus. Drexel challenged Strada to transform Nesbitt Hall, which had become functionally obsolete, into a contemporary learning environment that would immerse grads and undergrads in hands-on, community-based research and education.

Through an extensive renovation, the seven-story, 78,000-SF building morphed into a flexible, creative, collegial hub that buzzes with activity. The design opened up the building to create brightly lit spaces and inviting nooks scattered throughout for students to gather and study.

Facilities include instructional computer laboratories, large innovative research spaces, and an environmental and industrial hygiene laboratory. To encourage interaction and collaboration, there are numerous open seating areas, conference spaces, and student lounges along with two unique “idea labs.” In addition, the building was completely retrofitted to improve energy efficiency through the installation of new high-efficiency HVAC systems, new windows, and continuous perimeter insulation.