Hogan Biological Sciences Building

Gazing at the Hogan Biological Sciences Building, one might wonder about the life teeming within its walls. The O.T. Hogan Biological Sciences Building, completed in 1967, stands as a testament to Northwestern University’s commitment to scientific exploration. This building, located on Tech Drive, east of the Technological Institute, isn’t just a concrete block. It’s a hub of discovery, a place where scientific minds delve into the intricate workings of life itself. The Hogan Biological Sciences Building houses vital research centers. These include the Center for Reproductive Science and the Institute for Neuroscience. It’s also home to the Interdisciplinary Biological Sciences Graduate Program and the Northwestern Center for Water Research. Designed by Walter Netsch, the building’s unique geometric architecture reflects his “Field Theory.” Vertical limestone panels and aluminum window bands rotate around the building’s core. This creates a dynamic visual effect that sets it apart. But the limestone, a seemingly inert material, has a hidden story. Being biological in origin, it provides a food source for mold. By 2009, the Hogan Biological Sciences Building had become a canvas for a thriving mold colony. While the exact type of mold remained scientifically ambiguous, research suggests it might have been Gloeocapsa sp. This type of cyanobacteria is known to stain limestone black and contribute to weathering. The mold was eventually removed using Enviro Klean BioWash. The Hogan Biological Sciences Building, however, continues to stand tall. It represents the ongoing battle between the biological world studied within and the forces acting upon it from without. The Hogan Biological Sciences Building stands not just as a place of learning but as a living, breathing entity. It participates in the very cycles of life that its inhabitants dedicate themselves to understanding.