F.W. Olin Science Center

Willamette University

Salem, OR

Completion Date: 1995

Project Type: New Construction

Square Foot Data: 44,320sf

Construction Cost: $6.3M

This 44,320sf, four-story building was designed to house the Chemistry and Biology Departments, including 11 teaching labs and 13 faculty offices. Faculty research labs of various sizes are located near the faculty offices, enabling closer supervision of student experiments. Three new greenhouses were designed for the third floor to have excellent solar exposure and convenience for the biology department. To promote student/faculty and student/student interaction, a central "hearth" was located next to the faculty offices for each department.

The Olin Science Center houses various technical instruments requiring customized rooms. This building won a Special Citation from the 1997 AIA Architecture + Energy Award for Mechanical Design in Laboratories.