Boston–Groundbreaking ceremonies were held in February for The General Academic Building No. 1 (GAB No. 1) at UMass Boston. This is the second new building planned for the campus.
The $113 million GAB No. 1 will be a four-story building containing general purpose classrooms and three specialized instructional spaces – art department, performing arts department, and chemistry teaching laboratories – an intentional blending of arts and sciences to create a unique, collaborative learning experience. The different types of classrooms distributed throughout the building will include studio classrooms, lecture rooms, case study rooms, and breakout/seminar rooms.
Larger, community-focused spaces are also a key component of the 191,000-gsf GAB No. 1. The building’s daily users and public visitors will enjoy a variety of programs and events in the 500-seat auditorium, theatre, recital hall, exhibition gallery, lounge, and café. These venues will foster a high level of interaction between the building’s occupants, provide a unique academic and cultural experience, and accommodate the multiple learning styles of the University’s students.
At the heart of the new building is an atrium that will provide spectacular views of Boston Harbor. The atrium also forms a circulation hub that improves connections and accessibility for pedestrians in the building and across the campus.
“GAB No. 1 provides a special destination, looking east over Boston Harbor, as well as west over the Boston skyline,” said Bill Wilson, FAIA, principal at Wilson Architects. “The building’s classrooms, studios, and venues will define the academic experience, and they are organized around an interactive multi-level ‘living room’ that will foster a wonderful sense of the purpose of scholarship and the values of an academic community.”
“The design for the building is inspired by its context on the Peninsula and location on the Harbor. It forms a visual dialogue with the Campus Center, the JFK Library, and the existing campus buildings while providing a unique expression to its program and site,” said Samir Srouji, AIA, GAB design Principal at Wilson Architects.
The new facility will incorporate state-of-the-art sustainable design strategies and will qualify for LEED Silver certification. It will be a lively interdisciplinary teaching facility serving all UMass Boston students and the community.
Construction completion is targeted for April 2015. The design team includes: architect – Wilson Architects; MEP/FP engineer – BR+A Consulting Engineers; structural engineer – LeMessurier Consultants; civil/traffic/environmental permitting – Pare Corporation; landscape architecture – Carol R. Johnson Associates Inc.; arts/performing arts space planner – Theatre Projects Consultants; and interior design – MoharDesign. The construction manager is Gilbane Building Company.