The goal of this project was to provide a gathering place for Boston University’s more than 300,000 graduates that would put them right at the heart of the Charles River campus.
This adaptive reuse of a historic Tudor-Victorian mansion required a complete exterior restoration, the installation of a new commercial kitchen and HVAC system, and an extensive expansion of the BU Pub.
To preserve the so-called “Castle’s” load-bearing sandstone masonry, which had a highly variable ashlar pattern, the project team, led by Finegold Alexander Architects and Suffolk Construction, salvaged, cut, and matched existing stone to replace damaged stone, reducing the need for new building material.
The wood roof didn’t meet seismic codes. The project team anchored the roof to the existing masonry and blew insulation into the rafter cavities to provide a structural diaphragm for venting below the new slate.
A big part of the project involved protecting interior finishes. Existing wood windows were removed, numbered, taken offsite for restoration, and reinstalled.
HONORABLE MENTION
BUILDING TEAM Finegold Alexander Architects (submitting firm, architect) Boston University (owner/developer, CM) Thornton Tomasetti (SE) WSP (MEP) Suffolk Construction (GC) DETAILS 15,371 sf Total cost $11.4 million Construction time September 2017 to September 2018 Delivery method Design-bid-build
Related Stories
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 16, 2015
Lumberyard turned into Chicago charter school
While the existing structures were in poor condition, the Building Team preserved and restored 75% of the spaces and incorporated historic elements in the final design of the Intrinsic School on Chicago's Northwest side.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 12, 2015
Columbia Grammar and Preparatory School grows with the times
The 251-year-old NYC school was a design-build project that overcame issues like tight space and zoning appeals during its redevelopment.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 10, 2015
Restoration of the Whitney Building provides hope for Detroit
Four years ago, Whitney Partners purchased the 253,000-sf Whitney for $3.3 million. Their mission was to turn the 19-story structure into a mixed-use hotel, rental apartment, and retail center that would serve as a reminder of more prosperous times in Detroit’s past.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 9, 2015
University of Chicago uses space economically with Saieh Hall
The five-story, 100,000-sf seminary was converted into a modern education facility that would be fully integrated into the university’s Hyde Park campus. The project demonstrated the university’s commitment to finding a balance between new construction and adaptive reuse of historically significant buildings.
Reconstruction Awards | Nov 9, 2015
King of kings: Classic brooklyn movie theater stages a return engagement
The theater, which withstood vacancy, neglect and vandalism, has been redeveloped with a goal: balance preservation with the creation of a modern performance space.