The Council of Independent Colleges: Historic Campus Architecture Project

Barbara Bush Science and Technology Center

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Barbara Bush Science and Technology Center, Columbia College (SC)

Institution Name: Columbia College (SC)
Original/Historic Place Name: Reeves Science Building
Location on Campus: Central campus
Date(s) of Construction:

1997	original construction Peer, Gerard W.

Designer: Gerard W. Peer, Design Architect
Type of Place: Individual building
Style: Contemporary (Glossary)
Significance: education
Narrative: see below
References: see below

Materials:

Foundation: concrete

Walls: brick

Roof: flat composite

Function:

1997-present (2006)

academic department building (mathematics, biological and physical sciences, and human relations)

Narrative:
The architecture of the Barbara Bush Center for Science and Technology represents a departure from the other traditional red brick buildings across campus. The new building incorporates the earlier Reeves Science Building, but the new wing is distinguished by an impressive curved glass façade. A painting by the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian inspired the architect's use of primary colors in one row of horizontal windows. There is a strong resemblance to Modrian's painting style, "neoplasticism." The benefactors, Robert and Janice McNair (alumna, '59), requested that the building be named for Barbara Bush, a person whom they admire and see as a role model for young women.

References:

Savory, Jerold. Columbia College: The Ariail Era. Columbia, SC: R. L. Bryan, 1979.