Science and Technology Building
Transformed from a 1970s law school into a bright, modern chemistry teaching facility, the University of South Carolina's Instructional Chemistry Laboratories is a testament to innovation and reimagination. Designed by Page, the facility reinforces USC’s commitment to undergraduate science education and student success.
Once filled with dusty law books and dim hallways, the building now features state-of-the-art teaching labs, a multi-story atrium, prep spaces, and collaboration areas. A grand staircase welcomes students, leading to indoor and outdoor gathering spaces. Glass-enclosed teaching labs put science on display, with the centralized advanced chemistry instrument bay showcasing the most complex equipment on campus, sparking student curiosity.
Labs prioritize safety and efficiency, including vestibules for PPE storage and shared prep areas to optimize staffing. Around the building’s daylit perimeter, students gather in comfortable study nooks, blending high-tech lab spaces with inviting social areas to create a dynamic environment for learning and discovery.
Awards
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1AIA SC Merit Award in Adaptive Reuse
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2Preservation Historic Columbia Adaptive Reuse Merit Award AIASC
Reimagining
Repurposing an existing structure in the heart of a dense urban campus offered a cost-effective and sustainable solution to accommodate the growing demand for undergraduate chemistry teaching spaces.
Laboratory spaces
The Chemistry Department’s new labs transform the former law library’s concrete shell into 17 state-of-the-art teaching spaces, featuring 384 student lab stations and 90 fume hoods, expandable to 120. The facility also houses chemical storage, study areas, computer labs, classrooms, offices, and lab support spaces, prioritizing safety, accessibility, and innovation.
“90% of our students who study alone fail chemistry. 90% of our students who study together succeed in our chemistry courses.”Scott GoodeUSC Chemistry Professor
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