Albert Einstein is quoted as saying, “The true sign of intelligence is not knowledge, but imagination.” The Institute for Advanced Study may have had this idea of Einstein’s (who worked at the IAS for over 20 years until the time of his death in 1955) in mind when looking for an architecture firm to design its new Rubenstein Commons. Ultimately, IAS decided the most imaginative and, therefore, intelligent design belonged to Steven Holl Architects and awarded the firm the project.
The new Rubenstein Commons, which is named after David Rubenstein, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the Carlyle Group, is set to be an approximately 20,000-sf structure at the center of the IAS campus meant to encourage interactions among the institute’s diverse community of scholars.
The building will include social and meeting spaces with the purpose of promoting communication and collaboration and will also offer space to display images and materials that tell the story of the institute’s heritage, scholarly community, and current and future efforts.
As The New York Times reports, the building will have a patina copper roof and oak floors reminiscent of another building on the campus, Fuld Hall. This plays into the strategy the Director of the Institute, Robbert Dijkgraaf, laid out, saying the new building should be like “a family member with its own characteristics.”
In addition to blending in with other buildings already on the campus, the design will also blend in and “talk to” the surrounding landscape, as opposed to standing in contrast to it.
Along with Steven Holl Architects, MOS Architects, OMA, and Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects were also invited to submit proposals.
Other famous alumni of the Institute for Advanced Study include J. Robert Oppenheimer, Erwin Panofsky, and Hetty Goldman.
Fuld Hall
Aerial View of IAS Campus. Photo Credit: Hanno Rein, Wikimedia Commons
Related Stories
Education Facilities | Dec 7, 2016
How corporate design keeps educational design relevant
Learning is a lot like working; it varies daily, ranges from individual to collaborative, formal to informal and from hands on to digital.
School Construction | Oct 23, 2016
As construction rebounds, education sector spending flattens
Post-recession slump suggests a settling in at a “normal” level similar to the mid aughts.
Education Facilities | Oct 3, 2016
College prep high school begins campus-wide transformation with 22,000-sf expansion project
The expansion marks the first phase of the two-phase project.
Education Facilities | Sep 14, 2016
POE study: Architecture firm goes back to school to reevaluate its work
HMFH has designed three elementary schools based on the premise that project-based activities promote engagement, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration.
University Buildings | Sep 12, 2016
The University of Chicago’s newest residence halls are designed to be more like home
Abundant common spaces give students more chances to interact.
Industry Research | Sep 12, 2016
Evidence linking classroom design to improved learning mounts
A study finds the impact can be as much as 25% per year.
Education Facilities | Sep 9, 2016
Education Facility Design Award winners: The AIA Committee on Architecture for Education honors 12 projects
The best new learning centers showcase latest design trends in education.
Sponsored | | Sep 6, 2016
Fire-rated glass ceramic enhances life safety and aesthetics in Toronto area’s Brooklin High School
The new 173,200 square foot high school includes extensive glazing throughout to provide natural light and visibility for students and staff.
Cultural Facilities | Aug 27, 2016
Yellowstone Park Foundation receives $1 million donation from Toyota
The money will support new eco-friendly and efficient buildings on the park’s Youth Campus.
Education Facilities | Aug 24, 2016
Colorado’s largest charter school opens
At full build-out, Stargate School will serve 1,600 K-12 students.
