Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Harvard University Breaks Ground on New Performance Center

  • By Matt Jones
  • 07/11/24

Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass., recently broke ground on a new performance center that will play home to the American Repertory Theater, according to a news release. The university is partnering with architect and design lead Haworth Tompkins, architect of record ARC/Architectural Resources Cambridge, and construction manager Shawmut Design and Construction for the David E. and Stacy L. Goel Center for Creativity & Performance. Construction is tentatively scheduled for completion in 2026.

“We are honored to be leading the construction of the David E. and Stacey L. Goel Center for Creativity & Performance,” said executive vice president of Shawmut Design and Construction’s New England region Kevin Sullivan. “This project exemplifies our deep commitment to the community. By prioritizing environmental sustainability and adaptable design, we are building a vibrant hub for creativity and connection that will serve the local area for years to come. Our shared goal of minimizing embodied and operational carbon, maximizing wellbeing, and enhancing resiliency ensures that this center will not only be a beacon for the arts but also a pioneering global model for sustainable construction.”

The space features two flexible performance spaces: the West Stage for large-scale productions, and the East Stage as a more intimate venue. It will also include interconnected and adaptable multi-purpose spaces to support both future-readiness and creative collaboration. Other amenities include rehearsal studios and teaching spaces, a public lobby, and an outdoor performance venue, as well as dressing rooms, administrative space, technical shops, and a café.

From the sustainability angle, the building was designed to meet the Living Building Challenge core accreditation from the International Living Future Institute, the news release reports. Construction materials include laminate mass timber, reclaimed brick, and cedar cladding to minimize embodied and operational carbon. Rooftop solar panels will gather solar energy, while a green roof and thorough plantings will assist with stormwater attenuation, the news release reports.

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Benson Polytechnic High School in Portland, OR

    Preserving Legacy, Designing for the Future

    As historic academic buildings age, institutions face a difficult decision: preserve and adapt or demolish and rebuild. How do we honor the legacy of these spaces while adapting them to meet the needs of modern learners?

  • Stanford Completes Construction on Graduate School of Education Facility

    Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., recently announced the end of construction on a new home for its Graduate School of Education, according to a news release. The university partnered with McCarthy Building Companies on the 160,000-square-foot project, which involved two major renovations and one new construction effort.

  • University of Arizona Approves New Residence Hall

    The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved plans for a new residence hall at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Ariz., according to a news release. The new facility is scheduled to open in fall 2028 and have the capacity for more than 1,200 students, enforcing a new university expectation that all first-year students live on campus.

  • Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

    U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year.