Constructed in 1929, McPherson Laboratory is a five-story masonry building formerly housing undergraduate classroom and teaching laboratories, plus graduate chemistry research laboratories. The remodeled building now houses analytical and physical chemistry laboratories for courses involving significant instrumentation that are sensitive to air quality and require a secure location. The new chemistry laboratories have numerous fume hoods and one-pass air handling while the instrumentation areas require a slower rate of air exchange. Research laboratories have been separated from high-traffic classroom areas; while fume hood-intensive labs were separated from instrumentation labs. In addition, McPherson Laboratory has the facility for a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectrometer, with a very large magnet.

To provide clearance for modern ductwork and piping requirements, the basement floor level was lowered two feet. All interior and exterior spaces now comply with ADA requirements and the University's Building Design Standards. All security, critical environmental, and fire protection alarms have been provided with a relay output connected to the University's central proprietary alarm monitoring system. Furthermore, these systems are capable of self-monitoring for all appropriate status changes. All communication conduit, cable trays, wiring, room outlets, terminal closets, and communication equipment rooms are designed in accordance with the OSU Communications Wiring Standards and coordinate with the University Network Integrated Telecommunications System (UNITS).