Northeastern eyes dorms

[Suffolk 83]

It is a pretty intimidating presence when you look at the area surrounding it.

Huh?

Nowhere is safe if you're not aware of your surroundings. Walk down the street with your shades on and iTunes blaring into your ear and you're an easy mark.

Columbus Ave is no more or less safe than any other street near the Northeastern Campus.

Yea I'm well aware of that. I was commenting on someone saying something along the line of Columbus ave being some sort of grand blvd.

 

[czsz]

These towers are being measured by the wrong metric. They vastly improved their surroundings. By contrast, the overlauded Province Street tower ruined the view over Boston Common with its stupid and insensitive black wall.

 

[kz1000ps]

I just wish they didn't use that putrid orange color for the west tower. Had they stuck with the pale grey precast as seen on the east tower (which I think looks pretty darn good), it could've drawn attention away from the obviously poor material choice.

 

[Boston02124]

These towers are being measured by the wrong metric. They vastly improved their surroundings. By contrast, the overlauded Province Street tower ruined the view over Boston Common with its stupid and insensitive black wall.

^ excellent point!

 

[kz1000ps]

To be fair to 45P, that view from the Common wasn't exactly one of harmony and purity beforehand.

 

[Beton Brut]

The Clarendon executes them better and uses better materials.

I guess...That's kinda what I meant.

It doesn't look slapped together and it isn't as bulky.

I think the horizontal "reveals" on The Clarendon, executed in clear and opaque glass, look every bit as cheap and thoughtless as some of the more controversial finishes at Northeastern. Stern should have either used frameless glass, or better, bronze or patinated copper panels in place of the opaque bottom panes.

 

[Lurker]

If the pink colored precast concrete had instead been clad with cor-ten I think we'd all have a much more appreciative opinion of the finished complex.

I dare you to figure out if I mean that sarcastically.

 

[cden4]

I was just over at these dorms today. They do indeed look much better in person than in photos. The ground level as a whole is very well done. While there aren't many entrances, there is a Peet's Cofee and Jamba Juice along Columbus Ave, along with some nice outdoor seating.

 

[KentXie]

The cornice has been restored. I'll take a picture and upload it this week.

 

[kz1000ps]

Why the no doors or even trees? Is the area that unsafe?

 

[vanshnookenraggen]

I have to admit it turned out better than I was imagining, but that only means it's gone from a D- to a C-.

 

[KentXie]

Why the no doors or even trees? Is the area that unsafe?

No, it's because this is an academic/residence building, not a spot for commercial usage. If you look at all the buildings on campus, there are only a few entrances, not just this one. Plus having doors on that side will let the cold air into the lounges. The entrances are separated into it's own room to prevent that from happening. This is just how university buildings are designed.

Also the area just finished construction near the end of Summer meaning any shrubbery probably has to wait until Spring comes.

 

[czsz]

This is just how university buildings are designed.

"It's always been done that way" is not an excuse, though. Jane Jacobs devoted a whole chapter of Death and Life to bitching out Columbia University's beautiful, 19th century campus for turning a cold face to the streets it abutted.

There's no reason a university residence can't engage with its surroundings just as well as any regular apartment building. Practically every dorm at NYU is indistinguishable from non-dorm neighbors.

 

[KentXie]

"It's always been done that way" is not an excuse, though. Jane Jacobs devoted a whole chapter of Death and Life to bitching out Columbia University's beautiful, 19th century campus for turning a cold face to the streets it abutted.

There's no reason a university residence can't engage with its surroundings just as well as any regular apartment building. Practically every dorm at NYU is indistinguishable from non-dorm neighbors.

Building an entrance there will not engage with it's surrounding. There's no path coming down that way!

 

[czsz]

I'm saying there could be retail in that base instead of lounges or whatever.

 

[briv]

I'm saying there could be retail in that base instead of lounges or whatever.

I agree, but this stretch of Columbus is such a wasteland. There is no pedestrian traffic here. Maybe someday in the future.

 

[KentXie]

I'm saying there could be retail in that base instead of lounges or whatever.

No it can't. The lounges are also the entrance to the two dorm towers as well as the auditorium and classrooms in the basement. Plus the lounges provide a place for the students to relax and do their homework outside their dorm and/or outside the dining hall. Retail does not provide the same amenities nor is it needed for the portion of the building built specifically for academic and residential purposes. Besides, that side of the building faces away from the street.

On the other side, however, I do believe there are two cafes.

 

[TomOfBoston]

So International Village looks a lot better than anyone expected. From what I've read students love this residence hall.

Now comes the nitpicking about streetscape and retail. Northeastern did a great job here on what was a barren site. Even the blotchy salmon colored facade seems to have evened out somewhat. Can't anyone give NU credit for this (other than KentXie). It isn't perfect but still!

 

[kz1000ps]

^ I said before I like the grey tower, but that's about all I can muster up.

No, it's because this is an academic/residence building, not a spot for commercial usage.

When did I say "commercial usage"? I'm talking about doors and trees. I saw the lounges inside and thought, "gee, why don't they extend the lounging space to the outside? Add some greenery and surely someone would use it."

Plus having doors on that side will let the cold air into the lounges.

Lame. Airlocks exist for this very reason. And close/lock the doors for good during the winter.

This is just how university buildings are designed.

Lame again. There's no rulebook saying, "lounges must reside on the first floor" or, "lounges must provide an entrance to the dorm tower and/or other large public spaces".

 

[TomOfBoston]

And so it continues. I never knew there were so many Northeastern haters out there. How much retail does Harvard have on the first floor of its residence halls?

The building seems to work for the students, and that's what really counts!