Credit: Courtesy of Harvard, Photo by Peter Vanderwarker

Harvard Undergraduate House Renewal, Full Swing House

BBB’s design for the Harvard Undergraduate House Renewal Program preserves the spirit and culture of each residential House by creating a home away from home for students during their swing year.

Harvard University’s undergraduate houses are at the heart of the student experience. Each House is an independent live/learn facility that incorporates all aspects of student life and includes sleeping, dining, learning, and gathering spaces. As part of the House Renewal Program, BBB designed the swing space necessary to vacate residence halls and relocate students into existing buildings in and around Harvard Square. A centerpiece of the project is the conversion of the former Inn at Harvard into student housing and communal facilities, including a central dining hall in the building’s atrium, that serve as a temporary hub for each House under renovation. BBB worked closely with Faculty Deans and Harvard administrators, and with feedback from students, emulated the functions and comforts of the House to create a home away from home during the swing year.

 

Client

Harvard House Renewal Project Management Office

Location

Cambridge, MA

Size

280,000 SF (7 buildings)

Completed

2014

People

AIA, LEED AP
Managing Partner
Partner-in-Charge
AIA, LEED AP
Principal
AIA, LFA
Associate, Architect
IIDA, LEED AP
Principal, Director of the Boston Office