Boston- The New England Conservatory of Music plans to construct two new buildings on its Boston Campus, both designed by Ann Beha Architects with Gensler Boston as Associate Architect. The projects were recently approved by the Boston Redevelopment Authority and are planned to break ground in 2013.
Founded in 1867, the New England Conservatory of Music is the oldest independent school of music in the United States. Located in Boston’s East Fenway district, the Conservatory occupies 2.5 acres and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, a continuing education program, and a preparatory program for students ages 3-18. The core of the campus is Jordan Hall, an internationally-known concert hall, which was restored by ABA. These buildings will be the Conservatory’s first new construction projects in over 60 years.
The design proposes an extensive transformation of the urban campus, removing two existing structures and installing extensive new streetscape and landscaping. A dynamic new image for the Conservatory will be seen on Huntington Avenue and on the famous southern edge, St Botolph street. Phase One is a new student life and performance center accommodating student residences, dining commons, the Conservatory’s superb library and archival collections, practice and performance facilities, and an opera workshop.
Phase Two will provide additional student and faculty resources, offices, practice rooms, and a black box theater designed for ensembles and for the Conservatory’s opera program.
This $130 million project will create a vibrant new setting for academic and community life, and will invigorate the Conservatory’s urban presence and cultural impact. These distinctly contemporary buildings symbolize the forward looking mission of the Institution and its preeminence as a world class conservatory. The buildings are transparent, showcasing the activities and performances within, and with the Conservatory’s historic buildings, form an architectural ensemble spanning two centuries.