‘It’s Not Gotten Worse’: Harvard Renovates Science Center Lecture Halls to Tepid Student Reactions

Harvard renovated the Science Center’s lecture halls, lobby, and a selection of first-floor classrooms over the summer. Some students said they didn’t notice.

The project — which began in May and concluded shortly before students arrived back on campus in August — aimed to upgrade infrastructure and improve accessibility, according to College spokesperson Jonathan Palumbo. With a limited window for construction during the summer, planning began as early as Spring 2023.

The lecture halls underwent “major upgrades to electrical, A/V, and life safety systems, and significant renovations to the existing mechanical systems,” Palumbo wrote in a statement to The Crimson. Upgrades included improvements to fire alarm systems.

The renovations also focused on accessibility, including “more accessible restrooms, adjusting handrails and door widths, installing A/V with assistive listening technology, and making other corrective measures to ensure our spaces are more inclusive for all,” wrote Palumbo.

To modernize the lecture halls, the project incorporated wood paneling and new, colorful seating. Lighting was also modified to better facilitate student learning, addressing the lecture halls’ lack of windows. Wise Construction managed this portion of the project.

However, some students whose classes meet in Science Center lecture halls were less than impressed.

“I actually hadn’t noticed that it was renovated,” said Oliver M. Lontay ’27, who takes three of his four classes in Science Center Lecture Hall B. “The colors used to make it look a bit more ’70s, like the original designer intended — now it’s just a bit more bland.”

“I don’t feel like much has changed,” said Andrew M. Hearst ’27.

“I really miss the sickening, disgusting blue and green of Science Center Hall B, but I do feel like the chairs are more comfortable,” Hearst added. “I’m not sure what they did exactly, but it’s not gotten worse.”

Other students noted that the changes did not significantly alter their experience during class.

“I think it just makes it a bit more aesthetic, but it doesn’t really improve the comfort level of the hall,” M. Faseeh Jawed ’27 said.

Kaiya K. Brooks ’27 said, “It’s kind of similar — just different color, different aesthetics.”

The renovated lecture halls are part of broader projects in the Science Center, including modernizing the teaching labs and lobby, with a focus on aesthetics and accessibility, according to Palumbo.

Some classrooms and offices facing into the lobby, as well as the stairs on the first floor, have already been modified to have glass walls in a project managed by Walsh Brothers. The move is meant to visually connect the spaces to the Science Center as a whole, per the renovations website.

Teaching labs in the Science Center located in the opposite wing of the new offices and classrooms are also being upgraded with glass walls, Science Center Facilities and Operations Manager Mark J. Pimentel said in a March interview.

Phase 1 of the ongoing teaching lab project will conclude in January 2025, after which Phase 2 will begin, upgrading more labs. All planned renovations are expected to be completed by the start of the 2025-2026 academic year.

—Staff Writer Michael R. Carney can be reached at michael.carney@thecrimson.com.

—Staff Writer Danielle J. Im can be reached at danielle.im@thecrimson.com.