Harvard John A. Paulson School Of Engineering And Applied Sciences — Attraction in Boston

The new Science and Engineering Complex in Allston marks Harvard's largest expansion in a generation. At 544,000 square feet, the building designed by Behnisch Architekten houses the university's engineering school while demonstrating precisely what it teaches: innovation through design.

The building's defining feature is its exterior: a precise array of metal sunshades that transform a potentially overwhelming mass into a dynamic surface. These angular panels serve as a sophisticated environmental control system, carefully calibrated to the sun's movement throughout the year. They reject summer heat while capturing winter warmth, reducing the building's energy demands.

Inside, Behnisch's attention to detail reveals itself in unexpected ways. A lime-green motif punctuates the interior, appearing in elevator cabs and accent walls, providing wayfinding cues throughout the building. This bold choice breaks from institutional convention, suggesting a fresh approach to academic architecture.

The central atrium demonstrates the firm's mastery of light and space. A sculptural wooden staircase rises through multiple levels, while a geometric ceiling system integrates lighting and mechanical elements with unusual grace. Linear LED fixtures, arranged in a precise rhythm across the ribbed ceiling panels, create an effect that's both technical and ethereal. Exposed concrete columns, some partially painted in that signature green, ground the space while maintaining industrial authenticity.

The building's commitment to functionality appears in carefully considered details: digital-lock storage lockers in crisp white and yellow form geometric patterns along corridors; sophisticated air diffusers are integrated into architectural ceiling elements; and state-of-the-art mechanical systems remain visible yet unobtrusive behind linear ceiling baffles.

What distinguishes this project is how it resolves the tension between institutional scale and human comfort. Public spaces feature intimate seating areas with sculptural red chairs, while concrete floors and exposed systems maintain the building's industrial character. The interior palette—white, concrete gray, yellow, and that distinctive green—creates a sophisticated environment that feels more design studio than traditional academic building.

Yet the SEC's greatest achievement may be how it navigates its role in Harvard's ambitious Allston expansion. Positioned near the Business School campus, it serves as both anchor and bridge—a statement building that nevertheless remains permeable at the ground level, where glass walls dissolve the boundary between academy and community.

The building represents a significant evolution in laboratory architecture. Rather than hiding its systems, it celebrates them, turning sustainable features into architectural elements. The result is a building that teaches by example, where engineering principles become visible architecture.

Not everything works perfectly. Some may find the lime green accents too bold for an academic setting, and the exposed mechanical systems occasionally overwhelm the otherwise clean aesthetic. ADA challenging ramps and stair edges compete with non compliant wayfinding signage for targeting by the vision impaired. Yet these are minor critiques of what is ultimately a remarkable achievement in institutional architecture.

The SEC stands as concrete evidence that Harvard is engineering its future in Allston. It demonstrates that institutional architecture can be both ambitious and responsible, both iconic and functional. As the cornerstone of Harvard's emerging innovation district, it sets a precedent for academic architecture that embraces transparency, sustainability, and technical innovation while maintaining a clear commitment to...

I recently attended a conference here. This is a great facility with excellent support staff. Both the interior and exterior are beautiful and architecturally interesting. The cafeteria is also rather good. Overall, it's a great place to...

Needless to say Harvard is just Harvard !!! This new pavilion is immense, dedicated to engineering and applied sciences is a real challenge for MIT. having the opportunity it is absolutely...