Borland Building
Built in 1932, the Borland Building was the former home of the University Creamery and Dairy and Animal Sciences Department and is now home to the College of Arts and Architecture. The building's 90,000 sq. ft. area was renovated and now features cutting-edge technology and ample space for studios and classrooms. The building renovation earned LEED Gold certification in August 2009. This renovation was the first LEED rated project for an existing building on any Penn State campus.
In addition to housing the College of Arts and Architecture’s administrative offices, it includes two general-purpose classrooms on the first floor, and discipline-specific studios and labs for graphic design and digital photography on the ground floor. The first floor also has a gallery, a “BYO” laptop lab, and group seating areas near the general-purpose classrooms. Elements of the original architecture were maintained throughout the building. For example, the brick wall and columns in room 121 (a conference room) remain from the original 1932 building exterior, although a 1959 addition had made those elements part of the building’s interior. Other original elements include the display cases and flooring in the west entrance foyer, and the tile flooring in the east corridors on the ground and first floors.
Materials salvaged from the Borland renovation project were reclaimed, recycled or sold and the construction debris was recycled when possible. The material used in the construction contained recycled content and was sourced from local and regional manufacturers. The paints and stains used in the renovation were low volatile organic compounds (VOC). The building also monitors indoor air quality, ensuring sustainable health standards. Visitors can enjoy the building's beautiful architecture, original façade and digital gallery located on the first floor.