This area was originally intended as an intersecting circulation space in the Cass Gilbert plan. Over time and out of necessity, the space was modified to become a hearing room. It was desired that the new design be completed in the style and with the feature of 1950s modernism, rather than as a faithful interpretation of the Gilbert Design vocabulary.

Several alternatives were explored before finding consensus in the present design. The results completely updated the technology, refurbished those elements that were appropriate, defined the visitor areas from the senate, created a popular and successful interpretation architecturally, modified all lighting, designed new sconces at the perimeter of the space, and addressed acoustic issues within the limitations of the room. The most significant modification was the creation of the plasterEvaluation of the effects of iodized salt on the mental development of preschool-aged children: a cluster randomized trial in northern Ethiopia.
A cluster randomized effectiveness trial was used to examine the effects on mental development of introducing iodized salt to children 4 to 6 years of age in Ethiopia, where there were reportedly high levels of iodine deficiency. Sixty district clusters were randomized to receive iodized salt early at their markets with assistance from regular salt distributors or later as introduced by market forces. At pre- and post-iodization, 1602 children were given cognitive/language tests (namely School Readiness, WPPSI verbal reasoning, WPPSI Matrix reasoning), and mothers were interviewed concerning demographics, nutrition and health. Children's weight, height, urine and a blood sample were taken. Analyses of covariance, adjusting for clustering and