University of Pennsylvania President Amy Gutmann welcomed donors, students, faculty, dignitaries and special guests for a ribbon cutting celebrating the completion of Perry World House, the University’s new hub for global engagement designed by 1100 Architect who incorporated half of the original 19th century worker’s cottage—the part with the mansard roof—into the 21st century limestone-clad structure which is meant to encourage interaction. Located at 38th and Locust, Perry World House was established through a gift from Richard C. Perry, a Penn alumnus and a member of Penn’s Board of Trustees, and his wife, Lisa.

Standing in front of the 17,400-square-foot Perry World House flanked by Penn students carrying flags representing the more than 125 home countries of Penn’s current student body, President Gutmann said, “Penn is a great American university with a truly global perspective. It is a thrilling day, and it is wonderful to have great global thinkers right here. Speaking from the heart, most of all I want to thank our amazing trustee, alumnus and great friend Richard Perry and also great friend Lisa Perry for making this possible.”

Perry World House is a global research center that aims to advance interdisciplinary, policy-relevant approaches to the world’s most urgent global affairs challenges (Almanac March 29, 2016). With its modern, minimalist style, the new Perry World House boasts a physical openness that mirrors its agenda: to be a place for candid discussion. Penn Law Professor William Burke-White, the inaugural director of the research center, said “it’s meant to be a space where visitors from around the globe should feel free to speak openly with one another.”