Construction on the Harvard Memorial Church renovation began in June and is well under way. Elaine Construction broke ground alongside President Drew Faust, and our client team led by Professor Jonathan Walton. We’re excited to see the design for this project come to life. When upgrading a space like this to 21st century standards there are multi-dimensional challenges concerning thermal comfort, fire safety, accessibility and programmatic flexibility all set within a context of historic preservation.
Initially conceived as a project to provide year-round climate control to the sanctuary, the scope has evolved to encompass a transformational program that will expand accessibility accommodations and reinvent the lower level of the Church as a destination for those seeking a moment’s respite from an otherwise intense Harvard day. This new lower level will provide offices for Church staff and teaching/meeting spaces for the University, but most importantly it includes social/study space that finds the intersection between library and coffee house. We call this the Student Oasis and it is intended to be inviting to the entire Harvard community regardless of religious affiliation or belief. The Oasis is to be a venue where individuals can decompress and interact with one another as well as the church staff. Coupled with adjacent function rooms, the Oasis will also be adaptable for Church School on Sundays and support during special events such as weddings.
The Lower Level will continue to be the home of the Church Choir and they will be practicing within a new suite of dedicated spaces with improved acoustics and furniture.
Check back for photos of progress as construction proceeds into the fall.
Related:
Harvard Breaks Ground on Memorial Church Renovation
Harvard Memorial Church Ready for Renovation
Harvard Memorial Church: Facebook
Harvard Memorial Church: Twitter
Cape Cod Community College’s Frank and Maureen Wilkens Science and Engineering Center is a net-positive energy building designed to transform the heart of campus.
The project approaches sustainability through a holistic and global approach, implementing a range of moves including passive solar shading overhangs, air-source heat pumps, high performance materials with low embodied carbon and the expansion of the range of thermal comfort and lighting power density. Combined with on-site photovoltaics, the project achieves net-positive energy use.
The project’s thermally modified wood rainscreen façade is a study of the modern expression of vernacular Cape Cod architecture while reducing embodied carbon. Early lifecycle assessments identified the immense carbon savings of wood over fiber cement. The design team did not stop there, furthering reductions by peeling back unnecessary finishes like carpet and ceilings. Together, these decisions enabled a 19% reduction in embodied carbon.
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