What if a building resembled a camera? That is Harvard Science Center. It is the main classroom for Harvard’s undergraduate science and math programs. Welcome to a place where intellect meets innovation.
The Harvard Science Center stands just north of Harvard Yard. It opened in 1973. Josep Lluís Sert designed it. He was the dean of the Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Harvard had wanted a science center since the 1950s. Funding was scarce due to economic issues. Then, in 1968, Edwin Land donated 12.5 million dollars. He invented the Polaroid “Land” camera. Some say the building’s design resembles an early Polaroid model.
Some feared the project would run out of money. They worried about high maintenance costs. The Biology Department disliked moving its facilities far from their main area. George Wald said it would hurt instruction quality.
The plan included demolishing Lawrence Hall. It was a laboratory and living space from 1848. Students occupied the unused building. They called themselves the “Free University.” A fire in May 1970 destroyed the building.
Between 1966 and 1968, Cambridge Street was lowered. This created a four-lane underpass. It allowed easy walking between Harvard Yard and the Science Center. Architectural historian Bainbridge Bunting called it Cambridge’s most important improvement since Memorial Drive.
Sert, Jackson and Associates designed the Harvard Science Center. Sert had designed other Harvard buildings. These included Peabody Terrace and Holyoke Center. The Science Center broke from Harvard’s traditional Georgian style. It uses steel and concrete with natural light. Construction lasted from 1970 to 1972.
From 2001 to 2004, a 22-million-dollar renovation took place. It created space for historical scientific instruments. It also expanded other facilities. The Harvard Mark I computer was displayed here. It was a room-sized electromechanical computer built in 1944.
The Harvard Science Center has nine stories. There is also a basement and an observatory floor. It houses the History of Science, Mathematics, and Statistics Departments.
Other features include the Cabot Science Library. It has the Collection of Historical Scientific Instruments. This collection has 20000 objects dating back to 1400. There are five large lecture halls. They seat between 132 and 500 people. Fifteen smaller classrooms are available. Teaching labs exist for chemistry, physics, and biology. A rooftop observatory has large optical telescopes.
Beneath the Harvard Science Center is a large chilled water plant. It cools many Harvard buildings. The building faced energy cost and temperature control issues early on.
The plaza between the Harvard Science Center and Harvard Yard hosts food trucks. People use it for skating and concerts. Tents go up for special events like Commencement. The Tanner Fountain is a sculptural installation. It features boulders and landscaping. It operates during warm weather.
The Harvard Science Center is more than just a building. It embodies Harvard’s commitment to science. It blends history, innovation, and education. As you leave, consider the discoveries made here. Think about the future scientists it will inspire.