The new artwork was made possible through gifts from Ray and Lila Cohen, along with his friends and former students. Ray Cohen served as the Herrick Laboratories Director from 1972 – 1993. It was his wish to honor the Labs’ heritage and origins with a piece of artwork that could be enjoyed by all but also with particular significance for the students, sponsors and faculty who have collaborated on research at the laboratories.

Herrick Laboratories was established in the 1950s (official year 1958) specifically for graduate students to work with faculty on research for industry. Much of the very early research was in heating, ventilation, air conditioning systems, but transportation-focused research followed soon after. The facility came in the form of a 1920s horse barn, which was renovated and expanded for research; this was completed in the mid-1960s. The new artwork design encapsulates the original Herrick barn cupola, as well as abstractions of elements in refrigeration and transportation systems.

While the Ray W. Herrick Laboratories research has diversified over the years, there are still very strong connections to the HVAC and refrigeration industries. Herrick Labs sponsor biennial research conferences that provide an opportunity for practitioners and researchers in industry, government, consulting offices, laboratories and universities to exchange ideas, information and cutting-edge research.