About the Science Center


Design Objectives


The Science Center was built to provide:
  • ample laboratory space to provide hands-on research experiences for all students
  • specialized, state-of-the-art faculty-student research laboratories to support the senior project
  • seminar rooms to enhance small classes and the Sophomore Seminar program
  • departmental and shared computer facilities

General Design Features


Unique characteristics of the design of this building include:
  • complete faculty involvement in laboratory and classroom design
  • an open approach to make science activity visible
  • numerous windows to the outside to bring light into almost every room in the building
  • four different types of student public/study area: enclosed small rooms, common rooms, open study areas and the atrium
  • wireless computer capability throughout the building as well as 1,300 wired network jacks
  • an organization with teaching labs on one side of the hallway and research labs on the other, organized "communities" to maximize efficiency for access to lab and support areas
  • equipment rooms in a bar on the inside of the building to make the labs quieter and more efficient
  • shared prep and storage rooms where possible
  • emergency panels in teaching labs with showers and eye washes
  • "atriette" stairway areas providing vertical connections between disciplines
"Green" features of the building include:
  • wood certified as meeting forest stewardship standards for all casework and millwork
  • heat recovery from fume hood exhaust
  • occupancy sensors in labs; for chemistry this changes air exchange from 10 to 4 changes per hour in unoccupied mode
Organization of the building (wall paint colors indicate departmental teaching and research laboratory areas, as described below):
  • Ground Floor: Physics laboratories (blue), auditorium, classrooms, and support and storage spaces
  • First Floor: Atrium, Geology laboratories (orange) toward the south end of the building and Chemistry laboratories (purple) at the north end
  • Second Floor: Archaeology laboratories (brown) in the southeast corner, Biology laboratories (green) and administrative assistants' offices
  • Third Floor: Psychology laboratories (yellow), animal room suite, greenhouse and classrooms