Project Profile

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Project Details

New Construction: Yes

Date Built: 1995

Building Type: Educational facilities, Universities and colleges

City: Cambridge

State: MA

Country: USA

Project Team

Architect: Ellenzweig Associates, Inc.

Description

The major design intent is to reflect state-of-the-art management education while harmonizing with the existing campus architecture. The building is clad in limestone, the traditional campus building material, enlivened by glass curtain wall and decorative metal elements to create a distinctive contemporary appearance.

A sloped bridge connects to a building across the street, adding sculptural interest and maintaining the institution's tradition of interconnecting buildings. Accommodating a drop of more than four feet across its span, the design of the bridge resolves both technical and visual issues, resulting in a strong, positive design element. Despite its slope, the bridge appears horizontal because of the optical leveling effect of the tapered beams above and below the tubular steel truss. Presenting three elevations, the building offers a welcoming symbol to the east campus, anchoring a key intersection with a prominent corner entry.

The west facade, the most public side of the building, expresses the entry foyer, classroom breakout spaces, student meeting rooms and main stairway. By contrast, the east facade expresses the more purely teaching functions. Here transparent textured glazing illuminates the stepped auditorium. Public and private realms are separated by a thick chase wall containing the mechanical distribution system, expressed on the exterior as a substantial pier.

Lecture halls and discussion classrooms provide state-of-the-art teaching facilities, integrated with sophisticated, audiovisual and computer technology, enabling the school to host distinguished speakers, conferences, and other events. This creates an esteemed center for entrepreneurial activity, corporate resources, and a career development office that encourages interaction and supports professional development.

(Photographer: Steve Rosenthal)