New College House is Penn’s first residential building specifically designed as a college house within the college house system bringing together undergraduates, faculty, staff and graduate advisors to form dynamic shared communities. Designed by Bohlin Cywinski Jackson, New College House began construction in December 2013 and opened its doors as home to 350 residents on August 24, in time for the fall semester.

The design includes mostly single student rooms collected in multiple-bedroom suites with three to six bedroom arrangements, each with a living room and a private bath. The 198,000 square foot project is designed with many public and programmatic spaces built around a private central courtyard and includes a dining cafe and a new public pedestrian gateway via Woodland Walk with a generous sloping lawn.

Providing funds for the project are Emeritus Trustee and alumnus Stephen Heyman and his wife Barbara Heyman, and the Lauder Family, including alumni Leonard Lauder, Penn Emeritus Trustee and William Lauder, Penn Term Trustee.

NCH’s first residents include 340 freshmen, House Dean Trina Nocerino, Faculty Director Cam Grey, Faculty Fellows Jennifer Ponce de Leon and Bridgette Brasner and House Coordinator Heather Durham, four resident advisors and six graduate associates.

Related: Over a Century of Dorm Rooms at the University of Pennsylvania