Lewis Library

This building of curved stainless steel, sloping glass, stucco, and orange brick stands out even among Princeton's eclectic architectural landscape. Completed by Frank Gehry in 2008, the 87,000-square-foot Lewis Library houses the University's combined science libraries as well as a technology wing. Decorated in bright blues, yellows, oranges, and greens, as well as Gehry's signature light wood tones, the building is a popular study space for students. One of the most stunning features is the 'treehouse,' reading room on the second floor that skims the tree line. The library accepts tour requests through its website, http://scilib.princeton.edu. Natural Sciences Neighborhood: Many of Princeton's mathematics and science departments are clustered along Washington Road in the vicinity of Lewis Library and Icahn Laboratory, allowing students and faculty to collaborate on interdisciplinary research. In addition, many of the structures feature distinctive historical or architectural details. Guyot Hall, which houses the geosciences department, features stone carvings of 200 plants and animals. Jadwin Hall, home of the physics department, displays models and writings from Benjamin Franklin and Joseph Henry, a leading American scientist and University professor from 1832 to 1846. Designed by architect Minoru Yamasaki, Peyton Hall holds the astrophysical sciences department and hosts monthly open houses to observe the night sky with one of its telescopes, with graduate students available to answer questions. The new, state-of-the-art Chemistry Building will include numerous energy-saving technologies, and the new Streicker Bridge spanning Washington Road will help strengthen the connections among the science community.