Impressions of the Cambridge campus are rich with red brick and twining ivy. But a lighter side of Harvard exists, too. Marble, concrete, and dappled canopies give the University subtle shades and nuance, while columns, grandstands, and arches in pale tints offset the traditional greenery of the Yard. Harvard’s true color might be crimson — but beauty can be found in the neutral palette of the campus.

The stands of Harvard Stadium are beautifully weathered.
1The stands of Harvard Stadium are beautifully weathered.
The architectural model titled “Real and Imaginary Variables” by Arthur Liu, Nicholas Croft, and William Quattlebaum is on display in an exhibit at Harvard Graduate School of Design.
2The architectural model titled “Real and Imaginary Variables” by Arthur Liu, Nicholas Croft, and William Quattlebaum is on display in an exhibit at Harvard Graduate School of Design.
Elements on an exterior wall of Gund Hall at the Harvard Graduate School of Design form a face.
3Elements on an exterior wall of Gund Hall at the Harvard Graduate School of Design form a face.
Graphic details decorate the walls of Memorial Hall.
4Graphic details decorate the walls of Memorial Hall.
Charlie Chaplin tips his hat from a mural along Church Street.
5Charlie Chaplin tips his hat from a mural along Church Street.
Grimacing faces are immortalized in the entranceway to Austin Hall at Harvard Law School.
6Grimacing faces are immortalized in the entranceway to Austin Hall at Harvard Law School.
A domed ceiling hovers above the tunnel connecting Wigglesworth House to Harvard Yard.
7A domed ceiling hovers above the tunnel connecting Wigglesworth House to Harvard Yard.
Over 30 inches in length and 200 pounds in weight, this giant clamshell is on view at the Museum of Comparative Zoology.
8Over 30 inches in length and 200 pounds in weight, this giant clamshell is on view at the Museum of Comparative Zoology.
The arches of Harvard Stadium form a repeating pattern.
9The arches of Harvard Stadium form a repeating pattern.
Columns of Widener Library face out onto Tercentenary Theatre.
10Columns of Widener Library face out onto Tercentenary Theatre.
The trees of Harvard Yard form a canopy casting shadows onto the president, deans, dignitaries, and honorary degree recipients in Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day.
11The trees of Harvard Yard form a canopy casting shadows onto the president, deans, dignitaries, and honorary degree recipients in Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement Day.
Elegant forms are carved into the walls of the grand entranceway to Robinson Hall.
12Elegant forms are carved into the walls of the grand entranceway to Robinson Hall.
Inside Robinson Hall, the swirling mane of a lion made of marble decorates the stairs leading to the History Department.
13Inside Robinson Hall, the swirling mane of a lion made of marble decorates the stairs leading to the History Department.
A warm, soft light illuminates the ceiling of Memorial Church.
14A warm, soft light illuminates the ceiling of Memorial Church.
Concrete pillars shape a covered pathway under the Laboratory for Integrated Science and Engineering.
15Concrete pillars shape a covered pathway under the Laboratory for Integrated Science and Engineering.
Floors constructed of concrete, as seen in the Sert Gallery lobby, are featured throughout the Carpenter Center.
16Floors constructed of concrete, as seen in the Sert Gallery lobby, are featured throughout the Carpenter Center.
The modernist William James Hall designed by Minoru Yamasaki stretches 15 stories high.
17The modernist William James Hall designed by Minoru Yamasaki stretches 15 stories high.
Spindles beautify the balcony of Memorial Church.
18Spindles beautify the balcony of Memorial Church.
The Veritas shield adorns the fallen soldier in the Memorial Church sculpture titled “The Sacrifice.”
19The Veritas shield adorns the fallen soldier in the Memorial Church sculpture titled “The Sacrifice.”