Photos from February 2025. Updated with ES Bldg history May 2025.
Lazenby Hall is one of a set of nearly identical Renaissance Revival buildings to the rear of Thompson Library. It was built almost 20 years later than the other (Townshend Hall) and was intended to house Ohio State’s horticulture department. Lazenby Hall is located on the southwest corner of the Oval, bordered by Townshend Hall to the north, Campbell Hall to the south, Thompson Library to the east, and the Psychology Building to the west.
Prior to the construction of Lazenby Hall, the Experiment Station Building stood on the site.
Experiment Station History
Historic photo of the Experiment Station, captioned “Horticultural Hall.” (Historic Campus Map)
The Experiment Station, also known as Horticultural Hall, was designed by Elan Terrell and Company in 1888. With a wood interior and brick exterior, the building was built in the Romanesque Revival style, quite similar to many of Columbus’ vernacular rowhomes of the period. The Experiment Station itself was built in the summer of 1888, while its surrounding greenhouses were finished in 1890.
The Experiment Station was demolished in 1913 for the construction of Lazenby Hall.
Lazenby Hall History
Horticulture and Forestry Building, undated. (Buckeye Stroll)
Lazenby Hall was designed in 1913 by university architect Joseph N. Bradford. It was built as the Horticulture and Forestry Building and was designed in the Renaissance Revival style with a concrete frame and brick exterior. Construction began that August by D. W. McGrath, and it was completed on October 17, 1914, although the building was being used by September 1914.
The Horticulture and Forestry Building in 1916. (University Archives)
Lazenby Hall was originally used by the Department of Horticulture and Forestry, matching the similar usage of adjacent Townshend Hall by the Department of Agriculture. However, the School of Environment and Natural Resources (where the Forestry and Horticulture majors are held) has since relocated to Kottman Hall across the Olentangy River.
A detail of the vaulted entry portals c. 1965. (University Archives)
In February 1970, the Horticulture and Forestry Building was renamed to “Lazenby Hall” after William Lazenby. Beyond serving as a professor in that department from 1881 until his death in 1916, he also founded Ohio State’s landscape architecture program.
In 1977, an elevator was added to the west end of Lazenby Hall to accommodate people with disabilities. Additionally, a renovation was in progress by 1986, and a Postmodern stair tower was built onto the rear of the building. Currently, Lazenby Hall houses the Buckeye Brain Aging Lab.
Photos
Lazenby Hall is a very wide building, and I got this one from the hill next to Thompson Library:
The central projection is pretty highly detailed.
I love these Romanesque arched windows in the middle--they’re my favorite feature.
Note the applied ornament across that central recessed area. The little discs are cool, but the anthemions are the most elaborate and interesting part:
This classical portal with three vaults is very typical of Bradford’s work.
The string course juts out a bit, and it has an egg-and-dart pattern topped by a wave motif:
I also noticed that the eaves have little corbels underneath:
Side view:
The Postmodern additions are such a wonky decision. The materiality is emulated--the same brick walls, masonry base, and clay tile roof are used, but the fenestration is entirely different.
Here’s one of those odd moments that architecture professors drool over, to the confusion of their students:
Looking northeast, the relationship between the original and the additions is clearer:
Inside, I started in the basement, since that’s where the only classrooms are. It was very populated and had a large lecture hall down there. I struggled getting a photo, and the space is pretty uninteresting, so I opted not to use the one I have. The original entrance was labeled “research and faculty only.”
The wood doors are likely original, but it’s odd how this original vestibule is closed off by newer glass doors. The Postmodern…thing…in the middle with the fake plant brings back old memories of going to the mall as a kid.
The first floor was completely empty. It was set up as a study space, but nobody was there beyond people taking the skybridge to the Psychology Building.
It’s been pretty heavily altered, as you can see. The doors mostly held faculty offices. At least these pilasters were preserved:
“Mommy, what’s a payphone?”
I don’t even think half the people in my generation know the answer to that question. Lazenby Hall is scheduled for renovation in the long-term, according to Framework 3.0.
Sources:
https://kb.osu.edu/handle/1811/24059
https://library.osu.edu/site/buckeyestroll/
https://kb.osu.edu/handle/1811/37314