Springfield Technical Community College - Yearbook (Springfield, MA)

Page 15 text:

New Faces — New Building If an individual had visited Building 20 fifteen years ago and had not returned until now, he would be in for quite a drastic change in scenery and atmosphere. When the armory was still in operation, the foyer of Building 20 was used as a storage basement with portions, at times, doubling as manufacturing areas. At that time there were only three floors, which were divided into large areas filled with machinery and allowing only limited space for those offices which were absolutely necessary. There were no interior decorations, only plain off-white walls and bare wooden floors. The windows were expansive, but were broken into small panes with frosted glass. They let in sufficient light for safe operation of the machinery, but were not intended to be used as a means of exploring the outside world. This was undeniably a factory — no one could dispute that fact! The visitor returning in 1973 might find it difficult to remember the old when confronted with the new Building 20. As one enters the lounge on the main floor, he is in immediate contact with the brick walls and large glass areas so characteristic of modern architecture. The bookstore serves as a reminder that this building is an integral part of an educational institution. As the visitor continues on to the upper floors (noticing that two floors have been added), the fact that this is a college building becomes more evident in the large, bright classrooms with their rows of desks. On each floor one can also see the offices housing those necessary teaching aides, familiarly known as professors. There are lounges on each floor where students can obtain coffee and snacks and relax between classes. Building 20 also houses the dental hygiene clinic and the science and electronics laboratories. By the time our visitor has arrived at the 5th floor and completed his tour, there would be no doubt as to the new purpose of this building.