Meson Lab,Neutrino Lab,Proton Lab

A distinctive building identifies each fixed target experimental area.

Meson Laboratory: The Meson Laboratory's roof of inverted steel culvert half-sections, creates a giant scalloped effect. Intentionally, these pieces are approximately the same size as the concrete sections of the Tevatron tunnel. The culvert sections are painted blue on one side, orange on the other. This bold use of primary colors both inside and outside is one of the distinctive characteristics of the Laboratory.

A modified geodesic dome tops the assembly building of the Neutrino Laboratory. Each triangular section is ten feet on a side and is constructed of two triangular pieces of colored reinforced fiberglass, forming a sandwich over stacked steel beverage cans. In an early recycling effort, the public donated the 120,000 cans used in the dome. Copper sheathing now covers the outside of the triangles.

A stylized black pagoda sitting on legs twenty-six feet tall identifies the Proton Laboratory. A yellow spiral staircase, representing the double helix strand of the DNA molecule, leads from the ground to the second level.

pagoda

Wilson Hall

The stately 16-story Robert Rathbun Wilson Hall rises above the surrounding Illinois countryside. Inspired by a Gothic cathedral in Beauvais, France, its twin towers are joined by crossovers beginning at the seventh floor. The distinctive texture of the outer walls was created by using forms with staggered boards when the concrete was poured.

Headquarters for the laboratory's administrative staff, Wilson Hall also offers the breathtaking expanse of one of the world's largest atriums, soaring to the very height of the structure. A variety of trees, plants and indoor shrubs contributes to the sense of open space. The laboratory's main cafeteria, on the first floor, provides a central meeting place and is open to the public.The form of the building is such that when it casts a shadow in the waterbody below it...together they create the shape of a diapole magnet!

Adjoining Wilson Hall to the south is the 830-seat Norman F. Ramsey Auditorium. Named for the long-time (1966-1981) president of URA, the auditorium features carefully-designed acoustics, highly regarded by both audiences and performers. The external walls contain vertical concrete elements rising 40 feet.

Fermilab

My husband works at Fermilab which has the world,s highest energy particle accelerator(Tevatron).From this you can guess how exciting this place must be...The whole concept is great.But along with this the whole campus of this lab is beautifully designed....keeping the context of physics intact in its architecture and sculptures!These are designed by one of the founder scientists-Robert Wilson.So the high rise, which is the highest structure within a vary large area is aptly names after him.I fact on a clear day you can see downtown Chicago from here!As I am an architect this contextual architecture really fascinates me.I would love to share it with you.

A "mini-sunflower"! 

These are some more taken during the trip to South Carolina... 

This a picture taken by me....the concept being coined by Sourabh as"A flower in the ruins!"