On June 18, 2024, Westminster Theological Seminary (WTS) celebrated the groundbreaking of a 30,000 square-foot academic building. This three-story facility will take the place of the seminary’s current academic building, Van Til, which is scheduled for demolition in the coming months.

With a steadily-growing student body, WTS found themselves quickly outgrowing their Glenside campus. This new academic building is the first step in a campus-wide expansion plan intended to modernize and advance the seminary’s academic offerings.

Each floor of the new facility includes extensive technological capabilities, emphasizing WTS’ mission of engaging students, pastors, and professors across the globe. The lower level consists of several classrooms, including a state-of-the-art video studio. On the ground floor, a café, lounge, and kitchenette provide ample space for students to gather. Collaborative learning spaces take up the remainder of this floor. The upper level consists of administrative facilities, including offices and board rooms.

Due to the age and distinctive style of the facilities already on campus, the owner wanted a conscious design that would blend the new building with the older architecture. Burkey worked throughout the preconstruction process with the owner and architect to create a design that would fit the budget and reach the aesthetics the seminary was looking for.

Burkey is partnering with Ayers Saint Gross, Reese Hackman Engineering, DCI Engineers, Wilkinson Design Group, and Jonathan Ceci Landscape Architects on this project. The building has an expected completion date of Summer 2025.