The sunken courtyard of this building contains a large metal triangle designed by Athelstan Spilhaus and fabricated by Tyler Elevator Products, arranged so the Sun aligns with its sides at solstices and equinoxes.
The project was initiated and directed by renowned scientist and University of Minnesota dean Athelstan Spilhaus.
Named by Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names (US-ACAN) in 1988 after Athelstan Spilhaus (b. 1911), meteorologist and oceanographer; member of the U.S. National Committee for the IGY, 1957–58, and of the National Science Board, 1966-72.