Project Overview

For nearly two centuries, Villanova University has trained students to excel in fields ranging from accounting and business to nursing, philosophy, and beyond. With a total enrollment of roughly 10,000 students across undergraduate and postgraduate programs and a mission to ignite change, the well-known research university is committed to not only offering top-notch academic programs, but also high-performing buildings suited to the needs of modern students. In keeping with this approach, university officials sought to expand the College of Engineering at Villanova through the construction of Drosdick Hall, a 150,000-ft² facility that serves as a transformative new home for the entire engineering community at Villanova. The stunning building was brought to life thanks to the use of precast concrete and the combined efforts of precast concrete manufacturer High Concrete Group, Robert A.M. Stern Architects, BLTa, and engineering firm The Harman Group.

A Seamless Integration

This state-of-the-art building expansion more than doubles the College of Engineering’s main academic space. It features more than 20 new research laboratories, expanding laboratory space by 60%. A two-story innovation laboratory is equipped with 3-D printers, laser cutters, and workspaces for student projects. Inside, a three-story atrium establishes a centralized location for collaboration and studying. Drosdick Hall also contains cutting-edge instructional spaces designed for hands-on, team-oriented learning, as well as dedicated spaces for postgraduate students.

According to Matt Krebs, project executive for High Concrete Group, precast concrete was the material of choice for the expansion because it addressed three key project goals: aesthetic integration, accelerated scheduling, and site-specific constraints.

“Using precast, we leveraged new construction techniques with thin veneer stone to achieve a seamless blend with the campus’s more traditional Gothic buildings,” he says. “Plus, precast was fabricated off-site while foundations, steel, and decking were installed, helping to keep the construction schedule as short as possible.”

Krebs added that the project site was very tight, with only a one-lane road to access just two sides of the crane. But because precast concrete work could proceed simultaneously with other efforts on-site, the overall timeline was shortened considerably. Once the structure was complete, the precast concrete exterior was installed in just eight weeks, an efficient process that minimized disruption on a site that also presented complex grading and tight staging areas. Precast concrete also delivered the dimensional precision needed for complex architectural features at Drosdick Hall, including three large, joint-free chimneys. These were assembled off-site from multiple panels and clad in stone to appear as monolithic elements. Once assembled, the chimneys were transported and installed on the roof as single units, each topped with a custom-fabricated chimney cap. Their successful integration into the structure highlights precast concrete’s ability to meet both technical and aesthetic demands.

Sustainability was also a focus for the project team. The building’s green roofs are equipped with smart monitoring systems that collect real-time data on climate and soil moisture, serving as both eco-friendly infrastructure and hands-on research tools for Villanova students and faculty. Precast concrete helped reduce on-site waste, minimizing construction disruption and lowering emissions thanks to off-site fabrication. The material’s long-term durability and low-maintenance performance also contribute to a resilient, energy-efficient building designed for lasting impact.

“Drosdick Hall looks like it has been a staple on Villanova’s campus since the early 1900s,” says Tony McConnell, senior associate with Robert A.M. Stern Architects. “The addition has been so successful that university officials are researching approaches to reclad the existing building so that it achieves the same level of aesthetics as the addition. We are extremely proud of the result and what it brings to the campus community.”

Mason Nichols is a Grand Rapids, Mich.-based writer and editor who has covered the precast concrete industry since 2013.

Owner: Villanova University, Villanova, Pa.

PCI-Certified Precast Concrete Producer: High Concrete Group, Denver, Pa.

Architect: BLTa, Philadelphia, Pa.

Engineer of Record: The Harman Group, King of Prussia, Pa.

General Contractor: Wohlsen Construction, Lancaster, Pa.

PCI-Certified Erector: High Structural Erectors LLC, Lancaster, Pa.

Project Cost: $125 million ($6.4 million for the precast concrete)

Project Size: 150,000 ft²

Key Project Attributes

• Drosdick Hall is a 150,00-ft² facility that has transformed the College of Engineering at Villanova University.
• The addition more than doubles the College of Engineering’s main academic space.
• Inside, a three-story atrium establishes a centralized location for collaboration and studying. More than 20 new research laboratories also expand laboratory space by 60%.

Project/Precast Scope

• Precast concrete allowed the design team to preserve Villanova University’s iconic character while introducing bold, contemporary elements.
• Leveraging precast concrete helped combat various challenges on the project, including a tight site, short construction timeline, and complex grading.
• Precast concrete delivered a range of sustainable benefits to Drosdick Hall, including reduced on-site waste, lower emissions, and long-term durability.