Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Lesley University: Lunder Arts Center

  • 08/01/15
Lunder Arts Center at Lesley University in Cambridge

PHOTOS © ROBERT BENSON PHOTOGRAPHY

The $46-million, 74,000-square-foot Lunder Arts Center at Lesley University in Cambridge, MA, is the heart of the school’s College of Art and Design and an anchor of Cambridge’s Porter Square arts district.

Challenged with creating a multifunctional complex that would facilitate experiential learning and student-faculty collaboration, engage the public and integrate a decommissioned historic church, Bruner/Cott & Associates focused on the creation of inspiring spaces, designing professional grade art studios, making a vibrant connection to the public realm and repurposing a historic New England church already on the site.

The historic church was relocated inward on the block to better relate to the scale of Massachusetts Avenue’s stores and residences. The move allowed the construction of a lower level across the site to reduce density. After restoring the church’s exterior to its c.1910 appearance its interior was reimagined, comprising an accessible two-level art library on the ground floor, several galleries, and a graphic design studio in the original wood attic rafters.

A new four-story studio structure on the church’s former site is clad in terracotta, complementing surrounding buildings. Its prolific glazing actively facilitates art making, housing teaching spaces for ceramics, drawing, painting, book making, printmaking, photography, animation and digital filmmaking.

A three-story Arts Commons connects the church structure to the studio building. It features a light-filled entry court that proffers circulation, event space and administrative offices. Its transparent entrance and gallery add vibrancy to the streetscape, welcoming the public to exhibits, lectures, conferences and symposia. The new complex anticipates LEED Gold certification.

“In addition to providing our students with state of the art studio facilities, the Center enables our university to establish itself as a more visible, prominent member of Cambridge/Boston art world,” says Dr. Stuart Steck, chair of the College of Art and Design’s Department of Art History and Critical Studies.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • Minnesota District Starts Construction on Early Childhood Learning Center

    Sauk Rapids-Rice Public Schools in Sauk Rapids, Minn., recently announced that construction has begun on a new early childhood learning center and a new outdoor activities complex, according to a news release.

  • Myrtle Grove Elementary

    Phased Construction Keeps Students on Campus During Rebuild

    When Escambia County School District needed to replace most of Myrtle Grove Elementary School in Pensacola, Fla., it had three distinct challenges: honor the school's legacy in the community, bring state-of-the-art learning environments to the county, and be seamlessly built on the same site as the active school campus.

  • University of Kentucky Reopens Scovell Hall

    The University of Kentucky recently reopened Scovell Hall, part of the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (CAFE), following comprehensive renovations to the 120-year-old facility in Lexington, Ky., according to a news release.

  • Health & Science Building

    Health & Science Building

    Established in 1999, the Education Design Showcase is a vehicle for showing off innovative — yet practical — solutions in planning, design, architecture, and construction. The College of Western Idaho's Health & Science Building has been recognized with an EDS 2026 Project of Distinction award in the category of New Construction.