My opinion on architecture

Prior to American Conversations, I'll admit that I never gave much thought to architecture.  I thought that the sense of place a physical location had just happened.  After our readings, I realize that this was a mistake.  St. Olaf has only existed since 1874.  Before then, Manitou Heights was a forested hill near a small town that had never thought to build outside the confines of their established town.  If I were to have seen St. Olaf in 1874, I probably wouldn't recognize it.  Not only has St. Olaf changed, but it has changed purposefully, more specific, it has changed to attract an evolving student body. 

For me, this is most obvious when comparing the two science buildings, as we discussed in class.  Holland Hall was the original science building, and it was constructed in the Norman Gothic style.  Regents Hall ,the new building was constructed to be a "green" building, is LEED certified, and constructed with modern architecture. 

This comparison only begins to scratch the surface on the changing nature of science.  When Holland Hall was constructed, it was feared that science would overtake religion, so the science building was within the confines of traditionally religious architecture.  Now, Regents Hall represents a new era and not only relfects the changing attitude of St. Olaf, but society as a whole