Art Studios at Harvard University

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Cambridge, Massachusetts

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Harvard University's Department of Visual and Environmental Studies required additional studio space. A building that formerly housed the Harvard squash courts provided the solution. The renovation work included the insertion of major mechanical systems, adding appropriate artificial lighting where necessary, and bringing daylight into the studios where possible.

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Transforming the north-facing roof into a translucent skylight introduced an extraordinary quality of daylight that was augmented by a carefully calibrated artificial lighting system. The enormous mechanical elements were composed to either weave through the array of roof trusses, or to become interesting sculptural elements when near and visible. By design, evidence of the building's long history as a squash facility and the consequent wear and tear over the years remain throughout.