“The project has been specifically designed in phases in order to minimize the effects of the construction,” Kent said.

The Science Center was originally designed by José Luis Cert, a former dean of the Graduate School of Design, and was completed in 1973. The building is shaped like a Polaroid camera due to the fact that Polaroid founder Edwin Land, Class of 1930, donated most of the money for the building.

The new renovation, designed by Andrea Leers of the Leers Weinzepfel Association, will be composed mostly of glass and will incorporate the design of the existing building, while remaining visually distinct.

“The Science Center is a landmark building, and the addition will be compatible with the essence of the building, while not trying to fake that something has changed,” Cushman said.

“This project is one of several that we must undertake to give breathing room to departments, and to allow us to

increase the size of the faculty,” Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles wrote in an e-mail.