Word: allston
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Last February, the University announced that it had taken the first step in assembling the new archipelago of buildings that will become the Allston campus, Harvard’s gateway to the 21st century. The selection of German architects Berhnisch Architekten for the design of Allston’s first biolab should be commended for recognizing that designing the future requires not only conceptual vision, but also vision on the scale of the built world. Harvard shouldn’t plan our new Allston playground as an ossified artifact of architectural regurgitation. With the innovative Behnisch architects, our new campus...
It’s high time that we put that mentality behind us. While it makes sense to respect the tradition of Harvard’s planning and style and to draw on its icons for inspiration, a photocopy of Sever Hall in Allston would be senseless, styleless, and a poor policy for an Allston masterplan that should be committed to building an intellectual arsenal unmatched anywhere else...
...Although Allston will undeniably remain an organ of Harvard University, it is both physically and metaphorically an enormous departure for our august institution. Rather than artificially restrain it, it makes more sense to allow the new campus to pioneer Harvard’s future direction. That process begins with architecture that challenges old ideas and, perhaps more pragmatically, cooperates with its function...
These are heady words, and they are just the sort of thing that Harvard needs in order to mold an Allston campus that is forward-looking in philosophy and framework. Even more exciting is Behnisch’s commitment to integrating sustainable building practices into the new buildings. Says Krieger, “Behnisch will add one additional dimension, which is environmental sustainability.” As the world begins to struggle with energy crises and environmental questions, it’s fitting that Harvard develop a model for thoughtful design...
...process can now go one of two ways: Either the planning committee can allow Behnisch the room to chart the future, or they can pull back in fear of disrupting the love affair. The latter option would yield only architectural boredom in Allston. It is crucial that the design process keep at the front of its mind the period when Cambridge was, in the words of ArchitectureBoston editor Elizabeth S. Padjen, “an architectural Camelot of high energy, idealism, and creativity...