Location: Cambridge, MA, US
Year: 2023
Program: Roof
Floor Area: 25,000 SF
Status: Competition 2nd Prize
Recognition:
2023 Aerogel Architecture Awards, 2nd Prize
A New Roof for Gund Hall
Gund Hall is the home to the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. This John Andrews-designed brutalist building opened in 1970 and has become an icon for the university, the history of American architecture education, and an inspiration to young designers worldwide. However, the ambitions of Andrew's roof design juxtapose a series of design issues that still need to be addressed. Although the roof system allows natural light into the studio space, the glazing system is subject to frequent leaking that has damaged the building and student work since its opening. We utilize aerogel in the roof as a comprehensive solution for insulation, waterproofing, and natural lighting demands. By doing this, we create a new, more functional roof plane above the existing structure while preserving the expression of the iconic stepping in the retained structural skeleton.