Emmanuel College, Boston, MA
A phased renovation of an historic building breathes new life onto campus
In order to address the modern needs of this urban institution we reprogrammed and designed a phased renovation, restoring the historic character of the c.1919 Administration Building as the spiritual and functional center of the college. The new program consolidated administrative space, added new teaching space and faculty offices, uncovered new studio space for an expanded arts program, and provided new student-life spaces to encourage interaction.
This historic building, which originally housed the entire college, was suffering from years of obstructed daylight access, closed rooms, and obsolete systems. While the surrounding campus had rapidly embraced the demands of modern-day students, this building required a complete interior reprogramming of every floor through a phased renovation process.
- We consolidated administrative space, creating new teaching space and faculty offices, art studio space, and student-life spaces.
- Popular new spaces include the “Muddy River Café” that opens out onto the main campus quad, inviting students to convene in and near the building.
- A large, new lecture hall and renovated classrooms offer state-of-the-art technology, while maintaining the historic character of the building.
- We converted formerly unused space attic into large, bright art studio spaces.
- Sustainable design features include energy-efficient mechanical systems—incorporating the NStar utility Advanced Building Program, low-emitting, recycled, and locally available materials and recycling of waste building materials.
