Located on the north side of Columbia's Morningside campus, Pupin Hall is a nearly 100-year-old building designed by the renowned American architectural firm McKim, Mead & White. It's named for Serbian American physicist Mihajlo (Michael) Idvorski Pupin, a graduate of Columbia College and member of the Columbia Physics faculty from 1889-1931. The building became a Registered National Historic Landmark in 1965 for experiments in nuclear research that were conducted there during the early years of the Manhattan Project.
It remains the home of Columbia's Department of Physics and Astronomy and features classrooms, lecture halls, faculty and graduate student offices, state-of-the-art laboratories, the Rutherfurd Observatory, and the Center for Theoretical Physics.
Pupin Hall Directory
The pop-up images below are a general guide to help navigate Pupin Hall. Please note they are subject to change, as the building often undergoes updates and adaptations.
A two-page PDF of these plans can also be accessed and downloaded here.
Services
If you wish to inquire about a missing item, please email the department at [email protected]. You may also stop by the lost and found bin, which is located in the Pupin 707 mailroom.
High-value property (e.g., cell phones, tablets, laptops) are stored separately, as are personalized items or items with potentially sensitive information (e.g., wallets, ID cards, eyeglasses, medication). Please speak to the staff in 704 about identifying such belongings.
Packages are kept in the Pupin 707 mailroom, which is kept locked. If you are picking up a delivery, please ask the staff in 704 for the key and complete the sign out sheet to acknowledge you have removed the item. The department is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged items.
Furthermore, the mailroom is for Physics Department-related goods only. Personal items are not permitted to be mailed to or received at Pupin Hall. Violating this policy may result in lost privileges.
The Ricoh printer/copier is for large printing jobs by office staff, faculty, and TAs/graders. It is not available for individual use, such as homework assignments or paperwork.
The kitchenette is available to faculty, research staff, administrative staff, and graduate students. It includes coffee and tea service, sink, refrigerator, and microwave. Please clean up after yourself and do not leave food items out. The kitchenette is not available to undergraduate students or non-Physics affiliates of the Columbia community.
Meeting & Event Spaces
Features:
- Screen+projector
- Digital flat screen
- Full Zoom audio/visual setup
- Chalkboard
- Must be booked in advance
Features:
- Screen+projector
- Chalkboards
- Adaptable seating arrangements (folding chairs are available for seminar-style setups)
- Kitchenette
- Must be booked in advance
Features:
- Chalkboard
- Sink/cupboards
- Table classroom seating
- Projector available on request
- Must be booked in advance
Suitable for study groups, student groups, and group projects. Available on a first come, first serve basis.
Features:
- Chalkboard
- Digital flat screen
- Must be booked in advance
Facilities
Due to the building's age and need for highly specialized facilities, it is not uncommon for long-term projects to be undertaken. We do our best to minimize disruptions and inconveniences, but if you have urgent building and maintenance concerns, please contact Bob McGinnis ([email protected]), Assistant Director of Building Operations.
Learn more about Columbia's policy on Requests for Construction, Repairs and Maintenance.
Current Projects:
- Elevator Car 35 modernization (estimated March 30-June 12, 2026): Car 36 remains operational and both stairwells are open.
- Temporary closure of 13th floor women's restroom (estimated March 30-June 12, 2026): 11th women's restroom remains available along with gender-neutral restrooms in Northwest Corner via the 11th & 12th floor bridges (see below)
