By Juliet Chun

Today’s students desire a variety of study spaces, choosing among diverse scenarios whether working together or alone. COVID-19 has amplified the need for these options due to crucial six-feet-apart social distancing. As higher education projects comprising interior fit-outs or renovations proliferate, how can we integrate this type of flexibility within a building’s existing footprint? In the case of Harvard University’s Computer Science / Statistics Data Science Lab (CS/SDS Lab) and the Cabot Science Library’s second floor—two projects with different programs and sets of existing conditions—a deeper understanding of social interaction levels informed our firm’s renovation of their array of public and private spaces in a variety of configurations.

Both projects, located in the 1973 Josep Lluis Sert-designed Science Center, a modern landmark, introduce natural daylight and utility into the original precast building. Because of the existing structure’s constraints, careful planning was required to ensure maximum malleability. First, transparency and electricity were introduced throughout, providing reimagined settings for the spatial configurations to come. Glass partitions were inserted where separation was needed, allowing daylight to penetrate many of the interior rooms. Abundant electrical outlets were added to amplify student workspace and furniture arrangement options. This environment provided the backdrop for further study of program placement and evolving social interactions that led to our design.

Our design team developed a framework of “social interaction intensity” to help define spaces that support a clear range of density. Using four levels of interaction as a guide, the team identified distinct areas for level 1 (studying alone), level 2 (quietly working together), level 3 (group meetings), and level 4 (casual conversations). These areas were deemed appropriate for each of the project’s differing programs. The CS/SDS Lab now comprises a variety of shared open spaces, shared offices, and private offices. Users here typically work individually on their laptops or collaboratively together over glass writing boards and lively debates. The Cabot Science Library second floor has several group study rooms surrounding one large, central area. Separated by glass from the basement and first floors, this space provides a quiet area where students can work within a larger study context.

Based on typed and planned location of furniture, specific areas of interaction were identified within each project. Areas in remote locations of the plan were tagged as level 1 (places for quiet study), and rooms and spaces near entrances or circulation were tagged level 4 (places for casual exchange). Furniture also played a part in this plan: pod-like, single-seated furniture indicates a desire to be alone (level 1), table and chairs provide a place to quietly work together (level 2), individual soft seating invites a quick “hello” (level 3), and group lounge furniture fosters conversation (level 4). These options give students the flexibility they desire day-to-day.

Focusing on a variety of interaction levels also allowed the team to carefully incorporate a range of social densities and create spaces that were inherently flexible and adaptable to multiple uses. Two foldable glass wall partitions were used in the CS/SDS Lab to expand the work area when, biannually, a hackathon event takes place. For all other times, the space can be broken into three areas: the kitchenette, work area, and small conference room—spaces that inherently need and provide different types of social exchange.

By recognizing and designing for interaction levels, one can also begin to understand the implications of these social densities in relation to COVID-19. Spaces that were once designed for open public interaction can be easily modified for social distancing by removing chairs and rearranging tables. For the Cabot Science Library’s second floor, the plan allows for multiple situations: a one-way seating direction or staggered seating for individual distancing, group study rooms for those already living together to study together while being distanced from others, and taller table partitions that can replace existing partitions if added security is needed. Even highly public areas designed for group discussion such as those in the CS/SDS Lab can be re-arranged to accommodate fewer people with appropriate social distance observed.

By designing a malleable architectural framework that allows for flexibility, using social interaction research and levels as a guide, we can collectively create interior spaces that accommodate many configurations and shared settings, meeting today’s COVID-19 academic challenges and tomorrow’s student needs.

Juliet Chun, AIA, is an architect with Leers Weinzapfel Associates.

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Consigli Construction was tasked with not only fulfilling this vision, but addressing many challenges such as repurposing and revitalizing an important mid-century structure and meeting the necessary demands of working on a very active building that would remain fully occupied and accessible throughout the entire project. After 36 months, the removal of 975 tons of demolition debris, and the reconstruction and renovation of six key building areas, Harvard now boasts 385,000 square feet of dedicated community space in the Smith Campus Center.

Hopkins Architects (Design Architect) & Bruner/Cott & Associates, Inc. (Executive Architect) led the design efforts of the ambitious undertaking.

Aiming to anchor Harvard’s Cambridge campus, President Drew Faust’s vision for common spaces and “One Harvard” required the major renovation and restoration of the Smith Campus Center, located in the heart of Harvard Square. The structure, originally built in two phases between 1961 and 1966 and designed by influential mid-century architect Josep Lluís Sert, is a 10-story H-shaped concrete building with two stories of below-grade parking, retail and 18 different Harvard administrative offices. All building occupants remained in-place during invasive interior and exterior construction.

The revamped facility serves as Harvard’s Welcome Center and features a compelling two-story glass enclosure at Forbes Plaza, creating an iconic “front door” to the building. Interior updates included significant renovations to the first floor Arcade and Mezzanine levels, which offers diverse University dining options, common spaces for clubs, social gatherings and student collaboration and technological capabilities for movie screenings and multimedia presentations. Sustainable elements include interior green wall landscaping and three roof gardens on the Holyoke Pavilion, Dunster Pavilion and the 10th floor, which also houses a restaurant and additional common spaces. Finally, Consigli renovated Harvard’s University Health Services (UHS) to expand and improve services to its student population. This project is targeting LEED Gold certification.

Key Details:

• Location: Cambridge, Ma
• Size/Type: 385,000 Sq. Ft. / Renovation & Restoration
• Cost: Confidential
• Delivery Method: CM at Risk
• Duration: 36 Months
• Architect: Hopkins Architects (Design Architect) & Bruner/Cott & Associates, Inc. (Executive Architect)

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The summer upgrades at the district’s maintenance facility will be complete by August, and Bethel Elementary School is getting new windows and a larger nurse station, reported the Lake Wylie Pilot. Plus, the district transportation center is also undergoing a $1.2 million renovation that includes a new driveway.

Finishing up these projects will allow the district to move its focus to construction on the five larger projects. The new projects will include a new elementary school, middle school, field replacements at various schools and a new aquatic center as well as the conversion of the current Clover Middle School into a ninth grade academy for the high school.

The $2.5 million field replacement project at Clover High School’s Memorial Stadium is already underway. The stadium will be renovated with synthetic turf, which will also be installed at three other district fields. The middle school field being replaced required additional land clearing, and the dirt from the transportation center project is being used in the fields.

Construction is also underway on some of the new schools, too. A construction entrance and slit fences have been put up for the $40 million middle school replacement project. Timber has been removed to make way for the $25 million elementary school project. Plus, staff will begin touring YMCA facilities this week to spark ideas for the $14 million aquatics center. Construction on the center should start in February, with a scheduled completion in spring 2016.

The ninth grade academy will likely be the last project to be completed. Meetings on the $10 million building will begin this fall. The building will still be used as a school for the coming year, so it won’t be transitioned until after the new middle school replacement project is completed in 2016. As such, the academy is scheduled to open in August 2017.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Cumming is serving as the construction manager on the project.

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