Tempe Historic Property Survey

The Science/Agriculture Building is important as the first post-World War II classroom building to be added to the Arizona State College campus and as an excellent representative of Moderne style architecture in an educational building. This Science Building in 1948 represented a strengthening of the math, science, and agriculture faculty and curriculum. At the dedication, a noted atomic scientist was the principal speaker, symbolizing the importance of science to the future of the college. The building was also the focus of homecoming festivities that year. It was designed by Lescher & Mahoney, prominent Phoenix architectural firm that also designed Krause Hall on the ASU campus, buildings on the Northern Arizona University campus, as well as the Palace West Theatre, Central United Methodist Church, Phoenix Newspapers Building, and many other prominent buildings in Arizona. Their design for the Science Building epitomized Moderne qualities, such as vertical pilasters, curving planes and corners, and a streamlined concept. This three-story concrete building played an important role in the evolution of the university and is a noteworthy example of Moderne style architecture.

The Science/Agriculture Building on the ASU campus is a three-story Moderne style building constructed of concrete with a flat roof. Moderne qualities embodied in the building include vertical emphasis seen in the pilasters separating windows and the convex entry wall which rises above the roof line, rounded corners at entries, glass block panels, flat hoods over entries, and smooth exterior surfaces. Reached by a flight of curving concrete stairs, the main entry is a convex wall, with three sets of double doors breaking the curve. Over each door is a bas-relief in concrete; glass block rises over each door to a frieze, on which is engraved SCIENCES. Similar bas-reliefs are between the second and third story windows on each façade. Names of scientists are engraved between first and second-story windows on each façade. All windows are combination awning-casement and are located in vertical rows separated by pilasters. East, south, and west walls are also decorated with indentations at the frieze line.

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