Around 1978, a building rose on this very spot. That building is Fairchild Hall. Today we will explore this building. It houses many of Columbia’s biological sciences labs and offices. Some say it was deliberately built in front of Mudd Hall. Its location largely hides the latter from view.
Fairchild Hall’s facade is by Mitchell and Giurgola. Some say it references the campus’s historic brick McKim, Mead, and White architecture. Others believe it mocks it. Regardless, Fairchild Hall is often called “the brick thing in front of Mudd.”
Step inside and breathe deeply if you dare. Many say a soupy smell of growth media often wafts through Fairchild Hall. This is due to the large number of biological labs. The Hobert Lab is on the 8th floor of Fairchild Hall. To get there, take the 1 train to 116th Street. Walk through the entrance gate onto campus. Climb the stairs up to Low Library. Keep right to reach Fairchild Hall.
The Bussemaker Lab is also located in Fairchild Hall. You can find it in room 607. Take the number 1 train to 116th Street. Enter the Columbia University campus at 116th Street and Broadway. Fairchild Center is northeast of that entrance. Walk up the long concrete stairway at the southwest corner of the building to enter Fairchild. Go up one floor to the 6th floor. Walk across the lobby past the chairs. Make a left and pass through the double doors. The Bussemaker lab is the first door on the left.
Fairchild Hall is part of the School of Engineering and Applied Science. It was designed around 1974. Its formal name is the Sherman Fairchild Center for Life Sciences. Nearby you find Columbia University’s Central Campus Grounds. Morningside Heights is also close to Fairchild Hall. It is an integral part of Columbia University. It supports groundbreaking research. It shapes future scientists. Fairchild Hall stands as a testament to scientific exploration.