Physics/Astronomy Building

The spectacular Physics/Astronomy Building, designed in the UW's Collegiate Gothic style by the renowned architect Cesar Pelli, is home for teaching and research of the Departments of Physics and Astronomy.

Details of the building reflect these two disciplines - inscriptions illustrating physical principles at the base of columns, a Foucault pendulum in the auditorium lobby, and sundial to the south. A Foucault pendulum demonstrates the rotation of the earth; the period of rotation of the pendulum varies with latitude.

A central courtyard covers more than 20 underground physics laboratories that require a stable environment. The Physics Department is the workplace of one of four UW Nobel Prize winners, Hans Dehmelt, who received the prize in 1989.

On the south wall of the auditorium wing, facing Pacific Street, is a sundial, a giant web of green tubing designed by Astronomy Professor Woodruff Sullivan.

Central Campus Tour