The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Mathematics, Computing and Engineering Center (MCEC)

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Mathematics, Computing and Engineering Center (MCEC) (front facade), Trinity College (CT)

Mathematics, Computing and Engineering Center (MCEC) (detail, front facade) Trinity College (CT)

Institution Name: Trinity College (CT)
Original/Historic Place Name: Mathematics, Computing and Engineering Center (MCEC)
Location on Campus: south end of Summit St.
Date(s) of Construction:

1991	original construction Pelli, Cesar Cesar Pelli & Associates

Designer: Cesar Pelli (Cesar Pelli & Associates)
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Postmodern, Contemporary (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, culture, education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: stone

Roof: unknown

Function:

1991-present (2006)	academic department building (mathematics, computer science and engineering)
1991-present (2006)	classrooms (and laboratories)
1991-present (2006)	faculty offices
1991-present (2006)	administration

Narrative:
The first modern building erected by Trinity College since the 1970's, the Mathematics, Computing and Engineering Center by Cesar Pelli and Associates closes off the campus to the south, and its placement creates a virtual quadrangle framed by the Albert C. Jacobs Life Sciences Center on the east, McCook Hall on the north, and Jackson and Funston Halls (dormitories) on the west. Pelli's lively building with its bold color reflects the influence of post-modern architectural theory. It is at once a nod to Burges's Long Walk range and at the same time attempts to calm down the somber concrete masses of its neighboring buildings, particularly the Life Sciences Center.

The centennial of instruction in engineering at Trinity was celebrated throughout the 1997-1998 academic year.

References:

Jenckes, Roberta N. "A New Building for Trinity: Mathematics, Computing and Engineering Center Opens." Trinity Reporter 21, no. 2 (Spring 1991), Trinity College, Hartford, CT, 10-17.

Knapp, Peter J., and Anne H. Knapp. Trinity College in the Twentieth Century: A History. Hartford, CT: Trinity College, 2000.