During the summer of 2016, the FAS Office of Physical Resources and Planning (OPRP) led a pilot project to transform Harvard Hall 202 from an old, worn, flat-floor lecture hall into a bright, modernized, flexible 60-seat classroom. The room was designed with moveable tables and chairs to support several seating configurations from lecture-style to team-based learning. It also includes updated, easy-to-use AV technology and multiple fixed and movable writing surfaces to support group work.
A few years later in 2019, Harvard Hall (circa 1765) was taken offline for an extensive 7-month exterior restoration to preserve and repair the historic masonry façade and wooden cupola. Because the project required the entire building to be closed, it provided a unique opportunity to holistically re-imagine how innovative classroom design and advanced AV technologies for the entire building can support Harvard’s teaching and learning environments, enriching the educational experience for students and faculty alike for decades to come. This project included the renovation of the lobby, four lecture-style classrooms, and the replacement of the building’s mechanical system.
The FAS Office of Physical Resource and Planning team worked closely with an advisory group for the programming and design phases of this project. The advisory team comprised representatives from eight different administrative and College departments with a stake in classrooms, learning spaces, and instruction. The team engaged in a series of program development activities which helped establish a shared vision for the conceptual design. The process consisted of discussions on project scope, goals, priorities and challenges, pedagogy, and classroom design trends, and FAS classroom and enrollment utilization statistics. The programming effort also included outreach to faculty in the form of a classroom design workshop.
The final design of these classroom spaces was a community effort. Harvard Hall 101 (formerly 104) remains a tiered floor lecture hall but now includes a new accessible ramp, height-adjustable teaching station, and improved acoustics and lighting. The other two first-floor lecture halls were completely reimagined into four smaller classrooms to help meet the high demand for small courses. Harvard Hall 102 and 103 are now seminar rooms. Harvard Hall 104 and 105 are designed as 24-seat flexible classrooms. The final classroom, Harvard Hall 201, was transformed to mirror the highly popular team-based classroom 202. All spaces include state-of-the-art AV technologies.
Harvard Hall 101
Overview
Harvard Hall 101 (formerly 104) is a 100-seat tiered lecture hall. It has retained most of the favorite characteristics (e.g., room proportions, tiered seating, and aisles) appreciated by faculty but has been updated with new seating, carpeting, AV technology, and a ramp for better accessibility of the space.
During the academic year, Harvard Hall 101 is scheduled by the FAS Registrar’s Classroom Office and is thus available to any FAS faculty member for their course. In addition, the room can be reserved through the FAS Roombook system for non-course meetings.
Room Information
- Renovated: 2019-20
- Room Capacity: 100
- Room Characteristics: Fixed seating with large tablets; moveable table armchairs; moveable tables and chairs; multiple fixed and portable whiteboards; height adjustable instructor station; multiple lighting zones; light filtering and blackout shades; acoustic ceiling and wall panels; and accessible ramp to access seating in the rear of the classroom.
- Room Technology: Electric projection screen; high-definition projector with wireless and wired laptop connections; resident computer; wired and wireless microphones; Assistive Listening System; PTZ cameras, lecture capture, and a touch panel media control system. For additional information on the technology in the room, please visit the Education Support Services website.
Room Photos
Instructor view (from instructor station)
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Student view
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Curious about what the space looked like before the renovation? Experience it from a student’s perspective.
Harvard Hall 102
Overview
Harvard Hall 102 provides faculty and students with up-to-date technology in a traditional seminar-style space.
During the academic year, Harvard Hall 102 is scheduled by the FAS Registrar’s Office through the FAS RoomBook system and is thus available to any FAS faculty member. In addition, the room can be reserved through the FAS Roombook system for non-course meetings.
Room Information
- Renovated: 2019-20
- Room Capacity: 14
- Room Characteristics: Traditional seminar table with comfortable movable chairs; large fixed writing surfaces.
- Room Technology: Flat panel display with wireless and wired laptop connections; program audio playback; Assistive Listening System; webcam for videoconferencing (via Zoom/WebEx); and a touch panel media control system. For additional information on the technology in the room, please visit the Education Support Services website.
Room Photos
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Curious about what the space looked like before the renovation? Experience it from a student’s perspective.
Harvard Hall 103
Overview
Harvard Hall 103 provides faculty and students with up-to-date technology in a traditional seminar-style space.
During the academic year, Harvard Hall 103 is scheduled by the FAS Registrar’s Office through the FAS RoomBook system and is thus available to any FAS faculty member. In addition, the room can be reserved through the FAS Roombook system for non-course meetings.
Room Information
- Renovated: 2019-20
- Room Capacity: 14
- Room Characteristics: Traditional seminar table with comfortable movable chairs; large fixed writing surfaces.
- Room Technology: Flat panel display with wireless and wired laptop connections; program audio playback; Assistive Listening System; webcam for videoconferencing (via Zoom/WebEx); and a touch panel media control system. For additional information on the technology in the room, please visit the Education Support Services website.
Room Photos
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Curious about what the space looked like before the renovation? Experience it from a student’s perspective.
Harvard Hall 104
Overview
Harvard Hall 104 is a 24-seat flexible classroom. The room is light, airy, and easily reconfigurable to accommodate a variety of teaching modalities. The technology is up-to-date and simple to use.
During the academic year, Harvard Hall 104 is scheduled by the FAS Registrar’s Classroom Office and is thus available to any FAS faculty member. The room can also be reserved through the FAS Roombook system for non-course meetings.
Room Information
- Renovated: 2019-20
- Room Capacity: 24
- Room Characteristics: Easily movable tablet armchairs; multiple fixed whiteboards; height adjustable instructor station; multiple lighting zones; and light filtering and blackout shades.
- Room Technology: Electric projection screen; high-definition projector with wireless and wired laptop connections; resident computer; wired and wireless microphones; Assistive Listening System; and a touch panel media control system. For additional information on the technology in the room, please visit the Education Support Services website.
Room Photos
Instructor view (from instructor station)
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Student view
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Curious about what the space looked like before the renovation? Experience it from a student’s perspective.
Harvard Hall 105
Overview
Harvard Hall 105 is a 24-seat flexible classroom. The room is light, airy, and easily reconfigurable to accommodate a variety of teaching modalities. The technology is up-to-date and simple to use.
During the academic year, Harvard Hall 105 is scheduled by the FAS Registrar’s Classroom Office and is thus available to any FAS faculty member. The room can also be reserved through the FAS Roombook system for non-course meetings.
Room Information
- Renovated: 2019-20
- Room Capacity: 24
- Room Characteristics: Easily movable tablet armchairs; multiple fixed whiteboards; height adjustable instructor station; multiple lighting zones; and light filtering and blackout shades.
- Room Technology: Electric projection screen; high-definition projector with wireless and wired laptop connections; resident computer; wired and wireless microphones; Assistive Listening System; and a touch panel media control system. For additional information on the technology in the room, please visit the Education Support Services website.
Room Photos
Instructor view (from instructor station)
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Student view
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Curious about what the space looked like before the renovation? Experience it from a student’s perspective.
Harvard Hall 201
Overview
Harvard Hall 201 provides a flexible teaching space for faculty who want to teach beyond the traditional lecture hall. The room is light, airy, and easily reconfigurable to accommodate a variety of teaching modalities. The technology is up-to-date and simple to use, allowing an instructor to teach from several vantage points in the room.
During the academic year, Harvard Hall 201 is scheduled by the FAS Registrar’s Classroom Office. It is available to any FAS faculty member who needs a classroom that supports interactive and project-based teaching. The room can also be reserved through the FAS Roombook system for non-course meetings.
Room Information
- Renovated: 2019-20
- Room Capacity: 60
- Room Characteristics: Easily movable tables and chairs; multiple fixed and portable whiteboards; height adjustable instructor station; multiple lighting zones; light filtering and blackout shades; and acoustic ceiling panels.
- Room Technology: Electric projection screen; high-definition projector with wireless and wired laptop connections; resident computer; wired and wireless microphones; Assistive Listening System; and a touch panel media control system. For additional information on the technology in the room, please visit the Education Support Services website.
Room Photos
Instructor view (from instructor station)
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Student view
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Curious about what the space looked like before the renovation? Experience it from a student’s perspective.
Harvard Hall 202
Overview
Harvard Hall 202 provides a flexible teaching space for faculty who want to teach beyond the traditional lecture hall. The room is light, airy, and easily reconfigurable to accommodate a variety of interactive pedagogical approaches. The technology is up-to-date and simple to use, allowing an instructor to teach from several vantage points in the room.
During the academic year, Harvard 202 is scheduled by the FAS Registrar’s Office through EMS. It is available to any FAS faculty member who needs a classroom that supports interactive and project-based teaching. The room can also be reserved through the FAS Roombook system for non-course meetings.
Room Information
- Renovated: Summer 2016
- Room Capacity: 60
- Room Characteristics: Easily movable tables and chairs; multiple fixed and portable whiteboards; fixed and portable adjustable height instructor stations; multiple lighting zones; light filtering and blackout shades; and acoustic ceiling panels.
- Room Technology: Electric projection screen; high-definition projector with wireless and wired laptop connections; resident computer; wired and wireless microphones; Assistive Listening System; and a touch panel media control system. For additional information on the technology in the room, please visit the Education Support Services website.
Room Photos
Instructor view (from the front of the room)
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space
Student view
Click on the photo above for a 360 view of the space