According to Arup, a multidisciplinary engineering and consulting firm with a reputation for delivering innovative and sustainable designs, Northeastern University held the official groundbreaking ceremony for the Interdisciplinary Science & Engineering Complex (ISEC) on February 21. Arup was selected by Payette to provide mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP) engineering, energy modeling, lighting design, and façade consulting. The event was well attended by Northeastern University president Joseph Aoun, mayor Marty Walsh, and other members of the community including students, neighbors, local politicians, and members of the design team to celebrate the ISEC.
"A science complex of this scale has the chance to be a shining example of the best Boston has to offer," mayor Walsh said in his remarks. "This facility will attract some of the world's best minds in the most cutting edge fields of research. The work they will do will change the world in ways we can't even imagine yet."
Located in the city and designed by Payette, a leading architectural design firm specializing in complex buildings for academic teaching, medical and scientific research, and healthcare, the first phase of this three-phase project is 220,000 s/f and abuts the Ruggles Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) subway station. It will include landscape, and hardscape elements that will cross the tracks and touch the campus in two locations. Construction is expected to be complete in 2016.
"Highly technical and high-performance buildings are one of Arup's specialties, and the intersection between laboratory and academic institutions creates an interesting juxtaposition of services," said Mark Walsh-Cooke, principal with Arup. "We're thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Payette yet again on a facility that will change the face of research in Boston."
Arup collaborates regularly with Payette on assignments throughout the world including the Harvard University Art Museum and the recently awarded Boston University Center for Integrated Life Science and Engineering Building (CILSE). Other Arup projects include the Carnegie Mellon University Scott Hall, Westfield State University New Science Center, and SUNY Upstate Medical University Institute for Human Performance.