Walter Roberts and I.M. Pei sit outside the Mesa Lab in conversation.

I.M. Pei and Walter Orr Roberts in front of the Mesa Laboratory,1967

UCAR Digital Image Library #DI02085

Pei and Roberts agreed that the building should be spartan yet welcoming in order to encourage scientific inspiration. Pei focused on uniting the design of the Mesa Lab with its purpose as a scientific laboratory. Roberts worked with staff to determine the key elements needed in a new building.