Abandoned AmericaDec 4, 2022

A hall of mirrors in the abandoned Bell Labs complex in Holmdel, NJ Birthplace of more inventions than I can list here (follow the link for a rundown) and architect Eero Saarinen's swan song, it was saved from demolition and lives on as Bell Works.

Gallery/info: https://www.abandonedamerica.us/bell-labs

#science #abandoned #photography #history #art

Holmdel, New Jersey's Abandoned Bell Labs : The Idea Factory

One of the most innovative building designs where many of the 20th century's biggest scientific breakthroughs were made almost met the wrecking ball.

Show threadMatt BlazeDec 4, 2022

@AbandonedAmerica I worked in that building for many years, and it is the place that gave me permission to despise a certain type of celebrated mid-century architecture.

Stunning from the outside and from the atrium, but utterly dehumanizing as a creative working environment. Alcatraz-style layout, with identical, windowless offices. The great work that was done there was done in spite of the place (or at other Labs locations).

The perfect set for "Severance", though.

Show threadJeremy EpsteinDec 4, 2022
I worked in that building for several years, and don't have nearly the negative reaction you did. But before coming to Holmdel, I had worked in much worse facilities, including Burroughs Great Valley Labs, where even the exterior offices didn't have windows. @mattblaze @AbandonedAmerica
Show threadSteve BellovinDec 5, 2022
@jeremyepstein @mattblaze @AbandonedAmerica What exterior offices at Holmdel? The only one there was for the president of Bell Labs, and that took special construction, because he didn't want the same working conditions as everyone else…
Show threadJeremy EpsteinDec 5, 2022
Steve, agree - I was referencing exterior offices at Burroughs, not at Bell Labs. @SteveBellovin @mattblaze @AbandonedAmerica
Show threadAbandoned AmericaDec 5, 2022
@jeremyepstein @SteveBellovin @mattblaze this is such an interesting thread, thanks! I love hearing from people that worked in places I photographed. At least they had a bunch of plants in the atrium, right?
Show threadSteve BellovinDec 5, 2022
@AbandonedAmerica @jeremyepstein @mattblaze Yes, they did. At one point, they also had plastic swans in the ponds, since these were actually part of the chiller system, and the goose droppings were clogging the intake filters…
Show threadJeremy Epstein
Well it depends on when you visited. There were times when the atrium was filled with plants, and times when they covered it with cubicles. @SteveBellovin @AbandonedAmerica @mattblaze
Dec 5, 2022 at 3:20amWeb