The design of Boston University’s Data Science building is sure to turn some heads when it completes in 2022. The 17-story, 345,000-sf building will resemble a stack of books rising up from a podium on the university’s central campus. For the first time, BU’s mathematics, statistics, and computer science departments will be under one roof, maximizing collaboration, interaction, and interconnectivity.
The building’s transparent, porous podium will occupy the entire width of the site to complete the streetscape and generate maximum group floor animation on Commonwealth Avenue. It will rise four-stories and accommodate the larger programmatic volumes and offer a series of zones for interaction, including the Cafe, the Cascading Stair, the Street Studio, and the Fireplace Lounge.
Atop the podium will sit an additional 13 floors, each one slightly off center from the one below to create the stack of books aesthetic. Floors three through five will house the mathematics and statistics department (the fifth floor will also have a lunch space and meeting rooms). Floors six through 10 will comprise mainly space for the computer science department. The interdisciplinary Hariri Institute will be located on the top six floors, with floors 11 and 12 housing administrative offices.
See Also: Denning House completes at Stanford University
The building will include a series of terraced platforms for small group interaction, whiteboard walls, and a collaboration ramp stippled with gathering spaces.
On the team: BRA (MEP), Entuitive + LeMessurier (structural engineer), Richard Burck (landscape architect), and Nitsch Engineering (civil engineer). Construction is expected to begin this spring.
Related Stories
University Buildings | Feb 16, 2018
The University of Washington receives a new Nanoengineering and Sciences Building
The building marks the second phase of a 168,000-sf complex.
University Buildings | Feb 9, 2018
University of Missouri’s new dining experience lessens food waste and inventory
The project was designed by KWK Architects.
University Buildings | Jan 31, 2018
Report: Spending spree on new buildings a risky venture for some U.S. universities
Higher education institutions continue to add new buildings in spite of increased stress on facilities management budgets, according to a new report from Sightlines.
Healthcare Facilities | Jan 29, 2018
The new Virginia Tech Biomedical Research Addition will include research facilities in five thematic areas
The project is a collaboration between Carilion Clinic and Virginia Tech.
University Buildings | Jan 22, 2018
University of Copenhagen’s new research building focuses on energy efficiency
C. F. Møller designed the building.
University Buildings | Jan 19, 2018
A 360-degree classroom highlights Washington State University’s new academic innovation hub
The circle-in-the-round classroom can accommodate 275 students.
University Buildings | Jan 18, 2018
New living/learning facility at the University of Illinois at Chicago breaks ground
Solomon Cordwell Buenz (SCB) designed the facility.
Game Changers | Jan 12, 2018
‘Kit of parts’ anchors university’s remake
Sasaki designs interchangeable spaces to support a major educational shift at Mexico’s largest university system.
Education Facilities | Jan 8, 2018
Three former school buildings are repurposed to create mini-campus for teacher education
The $25.3 million project is currently under construction on the Winona State University campus.
Healthcare Facilities | Jan 6, 2018
A new precision dental center embodies Columbia University’s latest direction for oral medicine education
The facility, which nests at “the core” of the university’s Medical Center, relies heavily on technology and big data.