BU Development Thread

Brad Plaid said:
Questrom was peak Silber reactionary, a gigantic historicist brick wart. From the Cambridge side of the Charles it is overwhelming in size. There could be some moderating of the tower cantilevers so they jut out a bit less but something bold like this will take a lot of the sting out of Questrom.
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Questrom is astonishing in it's hugeness. I can only imagine how awful the interior spaces are. It would be funny if it weren't a real thing. And Silber was probably very proud.

And I can imagine a cantilevering tower where the cantilevers vary to accommodate views or program that could be really interesting--and how the facade is designed could be great. If they (read: Brown) are open to critique and improvement this could be amazing.
 
This will likely stretch BU's resources for new construction. Looks like COM will have to wait another decade for a new building.
 
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Reading through everyone's thoughts, I wonder if the valid criticisms about the public realm are made more obvious and egregious by the hard modern design. Would you feel better if there were a Boloco, a dry cleaner, and a Craft Beer Cellar incorporated into the east end of the podium? It should be noted that the north side of Comm Ave is largely impermeable.

shmessy said:
Context is everything. This is not on the waterfront in the Seaport.
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I agree. BU is a linear campus; there's no "interior" where you can conceal an edgy building. For that reason alone, the ground floor would be improved with a touch of permeability. Here's hoping BU's leadership does just that...

TomOfBoston said:
this will likely stretch BU's resources for new construction. Looks like COM will have to wait another decade for a new building.
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The same could be said about CFA, particularly the Music program. For an institution of BU's reputation, the facilities are (to be diplomatic) an embarrassment.
 
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Beton Brut said:
The same could be said about CFA, particularly the Music program. For an institution of BU's reputation, the facilities are (to be diplomatic) an embarrassment.
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Agreed re: CFA. I can imagine a prospective COM student touring Syracuse's Newhouse school (three modern buildings, one built a few years ago) then touring BU's COM. I guess it would depend on how much they want to be in Boston.

As for Music same for a prospective student touring Rochester Eastman or McGill Schulich and then seeing CFA.
 
Horrendous, possibly the worst thing Ive ever had to look at
 
I love this thing, build it as rendered. It's a bit big and I think the rooftop/garden scheme could be more ambitious but this is a hell yes from me.
 
Honest question to the ~1/3 of those responding who seem to like this render:

Do you like it as a stand alone piece of architecture, or do you like it in relation to how it fits in its proposed location on Commonwealth Ave?
 
Yes to both questions. My only suggestion for improvement is adding retail to the east end of the podium, fronting Comm Ave.
 
Not that it matters that much, but this is getting a lot of hate from students and alum on the official Facebook post. Not many people that don't usually pay attention to architecture seem to like it.
 
stefalarchitect said:
Not that it matters that much, but this is getting a lot of hate from students and alum on the official Facebook post. Not many people that don't usually pay attention to architecture seem to like it.
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1) Actually, many people who DO usually pay attention to architecture seem to not like it (more than half so far in this thread).

2) students and alum are people who would have emotions about the PLACE/LOCATION - - not in a NIMBY sense (because they do not live there long-term or even currently), but they are different from architecture buffs looking at it in isolation from place.

Once again, I'd have no problem if this thing were to be situated on the waterfront of the Seaport or Assembly Square. I DO have a problem with how this interacts with an increasingly tree-lined/bicycle friendly/Green Line boulevard. It's all about CONTEXT.
 
shmessy said:
Honest question to the ~1/3 of those responding who seem to like this render:

Do you like it as a stand alone piece of architecture, or do you like it in relation to how it fits in its proposed location on Commonwealth Ave?
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Both. I like how the base cantelivers over Granbury St and opens it up as an outdoor covered pedestrian zone north to Bay State Rd.
Architecturally, it pulls in features of recent BU designs: the glass of the Booth theater and the law school addition, the vertical elements of the “fins” nod to the new engineering building across the street, and the red ornamental features show an awareness for the brick buildings and brownstones that surround it.
 
shmessy said:
1)

Once again, I'd have no problem if this thing were to be situated on the waterfront of the Seaport or Assembly Square. I DO have a problem with how this interacts with an increasingly tree-lined/bicycle friendly/Green Line boulevard. It's all about CONTEXT.
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Modern architecture has every right to coexist among existing buildings on Comm Ave. Not sure I understand why this building would be better suited to exist in isolation on the seaport.
 
stefalarchitect said:
Not that it matters that much, but this is getting a lot of hate from students and alum on the official Facebook post. Not many people that don't usually pay attention to architecture seem to like it.
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In other words, people who will have to look at it and use it day to day! Facebook is about 95% hate on this building.

My guess is that in 1965 the LAW tower and the rest of the Sert complex got some great reviews when opened. "Wow! Lecture halls on the 15th floor! How innovative and daring!"
 
bdurden said:
Modern architecture has every right to coexist among existing buildings on Comm Ave. Not sure I understand why this building would be better suited to exist in isolation on the seaport.
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I have nothing against modern architecture in this location. Nothing at all. In fact, I think diversity of styles would benefit and enliven Comm Ave.

A great example is the Booth Theatre which is fantastic in its space - - - it is well situated, set back and donates a wonderful understated plaza-like space in front of its entrance - - in fact, one of the best entrance spaces in that area. I see it as one of the great recent unsung buildings in Boston - - I was surprised to stumble upon it last month on a walk.

This, however, looks like it is crowding the sidewalk and looms over the area like a drunk with bad breath.


JMHO :)
 
shmessy said:
Honest question to the ~1/3 of those responding who seem to like this render:

Do you like it as a stand alone piece of architecture, or do you like it in relation to how it fits in its proposed location on Commonwealth Ave?
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I like it as both.

The burnt umber brise soleil echoes the brownstones and bownfronts of bay state road behind it.

The large open spaces afforded by the cantilever/jenga will probably give quite the view to see the river.

The slow rising (and WIDE!) steps on the commonwealth side into the building's belly will give a welcoming and open feeling to the streetwall.
 
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