So you have been on campus for a while, you have figured out where your classes are situated, and you know the difference between RCH and CPH. Heck, you probably even know what half the abbreviations stand for, but have you ever taken the time to just wander around exploring? UW has been home to intelligent, inquiring students and crazy profs for well over 50 years now and has been subject to many different architectural designs. In particular, you may have noticed the cinder block design engineering seems to hold so dear and be vaguely aware that part of DWE’s renovations includes the removal of asbestos. But have you ever taken the time to wander in to the regions you don’t usually inhabit just to admire the designs of the rest of the world and the interesting spaces created by architects and designers? For instance, did you realize that the sixth and seventh floors of MC have no center? Offices look into a gravel-covered courtyard with a very interesting flag thing at its center. The same can be said of the upper floor of PAS, whose construction is very like that of a castle. The kind of castle created to withstand cannon ambush. In fact, Arts buildings are far more creative than those for engineering and as such, they are far more interesting to explore.
The cool thing about living on campus and attending classes here is the wide range of buildings. Only in an academic setting can we randomly explore so many interesting things pertaining to or inspired by such diverse subjects. In your wanderings, you will find many exciting new things. Want to learn more about flora and fauna? There is a sizeable taxidermy display on the third floor of Biology 1 where you can increase your knowledge and be amazed by the different skeletal structures. Did you know sea turtles have beaks? Neither did I (if you did, congrats on your super awesome knowledge of random things!). If you head along the long hallway, you will soon come to the upper parts of EIT, also known as the “Dinosaur Building.” Downstairs, there are some pretty cool public areas. There is even a fake mining shaft connecting EIT to the Chemistry Building, and there are dinosaurs. Who can be unexcited about dinosaurs? However, if you climb up the super long staircase to the very top floor, you can experience true awe. Now I may be slightly biased, since my hometown had very few tall buildings I find heights exciting in general, but the view and design are pretty cool. If you look out of the window it’s possible to check out steam rising from one of UW’s extremely expensive cooling units. You can also see the physics observatory and just generally observe that the world is pretty awesome from above. EIT is very modern and clear cut, similar to the newest engineering buildings (in use that is; I know nothing about the Nano building) but manage to still hold out some secrets, especially in the form of quietly whirring machines. Finally, if ever you are feeling down, I would recommend that you venture to the overpass to Engineering 5. Every single time I travel along it, I feel like Darth Vader travelling through the Death Star.
Exploration is fun and the discoveries made while travelling through places you have never been before can result in new interests, more efficient indoor routes, and sometimes even a meeting between old friends. I am only in my second term here, but already I have discovered many things that have put me in awe of the minds which walked these halls before me. If anything, these buildings, constructed to house our expansion of knowledge, become more of a home. Everyone who passes through leaves a piece of themselves for others to find and wonder at. (Have you ever discovered the graduation picture of someone you know and been struck by how much everything has changed since?) Exploring campus is practically a no-doors-barred experience, unlike residential areas where you must content yourself with the view from outside. It’s like a museum or science center that is open at absolutely all hours (assuming you know where the unlocked doors are on weekends). As an amateur explorateur, I encourage you to (legally) have fun, discover new places and always go higher or lower than the floors and classrooms you see every day. The world is yours to discover! Oh, and don’t even get me started on the environment buildings! It’s like a jungle in there……
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