Lake Flato and SWBR Wrap Cornell's Atkinson Hall in Hand-Seamed Copper

In April 2025, Cornell University unveiled Atkinson Hall, a 104,000-square-foot facility for the Atkinson Center for Sustainability and various other departments, located in Ithaca, New York. The building, designed by Lake Flato Architects in collaboration with associate architect SWBR, showcases a copper exterior selected for its durability over time. On-site, panels were meticulously hand-seamed, and the design draws inspiration from the local geology. The building’s envelope incorporates cellulose insulation and bird-friendly frit glazing, developed in partnership with Cornell's ornithology lab. The ground level features a wooden storefront along with FSC-certified sapele panels. The project involved a team that included STIMSON, KPFF, AEI, TG Miller PC, and others, with materials sourced from suppliers such as Revere Copper and Guardian Glass.