Shimmering Science

Stuart and James halls are models of sustainable design

September 9, 2008

Students in a Foundations of Chemistry lab work with the new equipment.

The sleek, modern furniture has arrived, faculty members have begun decorating their offices and only a few patches of bare earth remain to reveal signs of construction. The Rector Science Complex boasts two new halls at the corner of College and Louther streets—totaling 150,000 square feet and seamlessly connected to Tome Hall—that showcase Dickinson's revolutionary 21st-century approach to undergraduate science education.

Stuart and James halls, named for the families of J. William '32 and Helen Stover Stuart '32 and Benjamin D. James '34, respectively, were completed recently and are open just in time for the 2008-09 academic year.

Modern form meets interdisciplinary function

The new halls feature "areas of inquiry" in place of the traditional department structure, bringing together the biology, chemistry and psychology departments plus interdisciplinary programs in biochemistry & molecular biology and neuroscience.

"The space was designed to prepare Dickinson students," says Associate Provost Walt Chromiak. "Students will learn to do science rather than simply learn about science."

Amy Witter, associate professor of chemistry, says that what she most loves about the new space is "the glass and openness of the building. There's a lot of light, and you can observe what's going on in the classrooms both from the outside as well as from the inside."

A seven-member team from the internationally recognized architectural firm Zimmer, Gunsul, Frasca Partnership worked with Dickinson faculty, students and administrators to plan the complex, focusing on blending modern design elements with traditional materials such as Dickinson's signature limestone to reflect the historical character of the campus.

Light-refracting tiles—arguably the most prominent external feature—cover different areas of the building and fluctuate from a deep violet to teal dependent on the location and perspective of the viewer.

Chemistry major Jeff Rodgers '10 says that he's excited about the new labs, "complete with working fume hoods, projectors, computers and everything necessary for a rewarding and worthwhile experience." He says, "Research will be possible that could never have been accomplished in Althouse."

Less energy, more learning

As part of the college's commitment to sustainability, the building has applied for a silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating, which signifies a green building. The new facility will use approximately two-thirds the amount of energy normally used by a science building of similar size.

Features include an integrated lighting system that decreases the amount of energy used based on the ambient lighting in the room, an energy wheel that captures the temperature of the conditioned air in the building while circulating fresh air and an energy monitor in the lobby that shows how much energy is being used at any given time. Yurima Shim '09 says that she's especially impressed by the "automatic light sensors that turn off and turn on by the detection of movement and the big windows that save lots of energy."

The facility also houses social commons and interactive spaces that allow for displays showcasing how science and contemporary society intersect. Anthony Rauhut, assistant professor of psychology, says, "I absolutely love the small, break-out discussion areas near the faculty offices and throughout the building. I think such areas will help facilitate communication between faculty and students and help foster innovative science projects."

Witter also notes that since moving into the new facility, she's had more interaction with her colleagues. "In the old building I was by myself on the middle floor, and I didn't have colleagues next to me. Here, just going into the department office, you meet people from biology, you meet people from psychology."

Jennifer Haines '09 currently has no classes in the new halls but has been following the progress of the construction. She's already chosen an alcove on the first floor of Stuart Hall for the quiet study space it offers. She says, "I wanted to see it. I'm here because it's beautiful."

The dedication ceremony is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m. outside Stuart Hall, rain or shine. A reception and tours of the new space will begin immediately following the ceremony.