Finn Waterman, Contributing Writer

Mayer Hall is the greatly underutilized hall located between Pearson’s and the Science Center on the south side of our beautiful campus that has historically been home to Bob Elder’s economics classes, the annual Rocky Horror Picture show, and now the current home of LITS. What many people do not know about this strange little building is that it is an architectural wonder and I am in love. 

The original design was created by Harry Weese, a notable Chicago-based architect who is responsible for rail systems across major metropolitan areas and the preservation of Chicago’s historical skyline. Known for his modernist buildings, many of his most famous works feature an emphasis on natural lighting, interesting angles, and bricks. Many of these features can be seen in Beloit’s own Mayer Hall, with its underwhelming outside hiding the beautifully curved brick corners and fireplace lounge vibes found in the interior. 

One of my favorite parts about Mayer is the strategic placement of the skylights that allows visitors to enjoy the outside light without large gaudy windows like the neighboring science center features. The skylights also highlight the natural warmth of the bricks which makes the building feel comforting during the cold Midwest winters. 

The interior detailing is all worn metal that gives the building a sense of aged authority, an aspect that I can respect when compared to the wood furnishings of MI and Pearsons or the sterile stainless steel in the science center. The wear apparent on the handrails and doorknobs of Mayer shows the former life the building had, showing that people had been there before and will be there after we leave. 

Another aspect of Mayer that I would be remiss to not mention is the glass elevator shaft/seating area featured on the south side of the building. The futuristic glass structure serves two functions to the building, the first being the panoramic view of the Rock River and campus. 

When creating a building that has little to no traditional windows like Mayer, it is easy to become overly reliant on overhead lights. Weese’s move to ensure that lights would not have to be used during the day was a combination of strategically placed windows in the ceiling, doors, and this incredible elevator area. The scarcity of direct natural light draws visitors into the glass offshoot, from which they are able to catch a view that is hard to get on campus, and allows for some connection with nature while inside the building. The shaft also seamlessly connects the two levels of the land, helping to maintain the flow of the campus. 

By giving people a way to get from the top of the hill to the lower level, one can make the trek from Pearsons to the science center while staying mostly indoors, a feature that is valuable in the winter. Most of all, I love this building because it highlights one of the Midwest’s greatest architectural styles and sets us apart from the coasts. 

Modernism is applicable in all sorts of settings, but I think it shines best in small towns where a building can really stand out and help define the culture of a place. As modernist buildings fall out of popular fashion, they run the risk of being destroyed in favor of bigger, often uglier buildings which is why I would like to honor this building while it is still here. 

University of Wisconsin Madison’s Mosse Humanities building is another Harry Weese creation that is unfortunately slated for demolition in 2030 and I highly recommend anyone who appreciates the modernist style to make a trip to visit it before it is gone.