Williams College with Payette

Bucking the trend of interdisciplinary science centers, the design of the Wachenheim Science Center reflects Williams College’s desire to celebrate the unique culture of each academic department - Mathematics|Statistics, Psychology and Geosciences - in the new building. Intense collaboration with each department resulted in three distinct academic neighborhoods and classrooms.

Williams also desired a quiet, refined building in scale with the campus. The Wachenheim is a welcome guest seated proudly at the table along the historic Science Quad, its 3-story massing of staggered brick boxes nestled among the neighboring buildings. This intentionally understated building is, at times, almost invisible, yet still possesses a unique personality on the exterior with a wonderfully warm and rich interior palette of materials.

View of the Wachenheim Science Center from the Falk Science Quad
Photo Cred: Warren Jagger Photography

This LEED Platinum building consists of three shifting brick boxes interconnected by a public spine. Each box represents an academic department, creating unique neighborhoods with a "great room" at the center, fostering collaboration and community. The Geosciences laboratories are concentrated in a separate volume to optimize energy efficiency, while the Psychology and Mathematics|Statistics programs are strategically placed for tailored ventilation and energy use.

**Shifting Brick Boxes:** The fenestration responds to the simple palette provided by the dignified brick boxes with punched windows that define the fabric of the Williams College campus. A delicate Flemish bond and iron spot weave of brick wraps the interlocking boxes and reveals a playful composition of punched windows for faculty offices, while classrooms and places to gather are highlighted with much larger and more varied openings to bring hierarchy to the composition..
Photo Cred: Payette

**The Main Spine** bisects the building, linking the three brick boxes and the neighborhoods of the departments and providing views into the landscape at each end. A communicating stair at the midpoint of the spine links the neighborhoods vertically with the main lobby. Suspended wood ceilings and stone flooring give the public spaces in the building a radiant, warm materiality.
Photo Cred: Robert Benson Photography

Each academic neighborhood features graphic walls inspired by their research and signature windows framing campus views. Public spaces and classrooms were designed with larger glazing areas to maximize daylight and connection to the surrounding landscape. The interior finishes and furnishings were carefully selected for their contribution to a healthy and welcoming environment, incorporating wood ceilings, natural stone tiles and live edge wood tables.

Additionally, the project engaged the local community by prioritizing regional materials, with local quarries providing the building stone, tile flooring and landscaping materials. Dark charcoal layered stone manufactured in the Berkshires was installed on the main floor. When students enter the building, they sense a rhythmic woven pattern that has been likened to bird’s eye maple, tree bark, or wind whipped ripples on the water’s surface. It is not a uniform pattern, but rather flows across any given slab. These features of the stone are responded to in other materials and objects, including textures and patterns in upholstery and carpet, natural wood tables and even the shape of seating, creating a cohesive and consistent design aesthetic.

**Great Room:** A wonderful two-story space for gathering overlooking the Science Quad and the campus beyond forms the heart of the psychology neighborhood. In each of the three academic neighborhoods, a mural curated by the scientists is a main feature in their central space. In the psychology great room, a mural of neural synapses defines a sense of community and shared culture.
Photo Cred: Robert Benson Photography

**Quad Entrance Lobby:** entered directly from the Quad Entry Court, looking toward the West Entry Garden.
Photo Cred: Robert Benson Photography

The overall design efforts sought to enrich the human experience by creating a building that seamlessly integrates with the existing context, promotes collaboration and community, maximizes occupant well-being, and showcases sustainability. It demonstrates a strong commitment to equity and diversity by engaging the local community and preserving the visual integrity of the neighborhood.