Over the course of the 2018-2019 academic year, Amos Hall—home to St. Andrew’s Science and Mathematics Departments—will undergo a major renovation. The building, first erected in 1967 and named for legendary St. Andrew’s science teacher Bill Amos, has served as an inspiring place for generations of future biologists, chemists, and engineers. And while great instruction transcends the limits of the spaces in which it occurs, new teaching styles, increased enrollment in math and science, and the simple passage of time, have made the need for updating and rethinking the building’s layout abundantly clear. The renovation aims to better utilize the building’s space, allows for more active instruction, and creates a more welcoming and practical environment for students and faculty to collaborate and learn.
54
u
St. Andrew’s Magazine
After lunch on a recent Thursday, Mathematics Department Chair Eric Finch detailed some of the process for designing and finalizing the building’s new footprint. “The original conversations about updating the building began in little fits and starts many years back,” Finch began, “and the Math and Science Departments have been involved from the start. But it wasn’t until about two years ago when architect Pam Zimmerman came on that everything got more serious. Faculty members have had regular meetings with the architects, and they’ve been receptive to our input and ideas.” In addition to holding these meetings with architects, the Board of Trustees, Head of School Tad Roach, Chief Operating Officer Ann Visalli, and Director of Advancement Will Mitchell, the faculty drew much of their inspiration for the building’s new design by visiting and observing science and math facilities at other high schools and universities. “The whole process of coming up with the final plans has been a big collaboration,” said Dean of Math and Science Harvey Johnson. “As someone who cares deeply about the math and science education of our students, I think the new building will be a really great and more inviting place.” Perhaps the most noteworthy element of the building’s renovation is its more open and experiential learning-centered design. Whereas students currently work in traditional and often