The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Science Building

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Science Building (entrance), Calvin College

Institution Name: Calvin College
Original/Historic Place Name: Science Building
Location on Campus: 3201 Burton SE
Date(s) of Construction:

1967	original construction Fyfe, William Beye Perkins + Will Architects

Designer: William Beye Fyfe; Perkins & Will Architects
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Modern/post-WWII (Glossary)
Significance: architecture, education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick, common

Roof: low slope, wide eaves

Function:

1967-present (2006)

academic department building

Narrative:
This building is significant because its floor plan was based on a centralized "core" preparation room, with labs adjacent in a hexagonal pattern and offices on the outside wall. We understand this to be a unique concept for its time, and it has proven to be extremely functional in operation. The outward expression of the grouping of smaller (office) spaces creates a vertical effect on the exterior which is balanced by the "floating" roof structure above the 4th floor.

References: