Walsh Bros. celebrates opening of MSCBA MassArt's new Kennedy Campus Center; designed by Miller Dyer Spears; part of $140 million renovation/expansion

Walsh Brothers, Inc. in conjunction with design partner Miller Dyer Spears, as well as the Mass. College Building Authority (MSCBA), Mass. College of Art and Design (MassArt) faculty, alumni, and students celebrated the renovation of MassArt's new Kennedy Campus Center. The new student center provides an array of expanded services for the increased volume of on-campus MassArt students. The 58,000 s/f renovation and 4,000 s/f expansion project on Huntington Ave. represents a step by the MSCBA in the college's $140 million plan to redefine MassArt's urban campus. The redesigned and modernized building includes offices for student services, 100 new seats in the dining commons, student galleries, an art supply and bookstore, a Peet's Coffee & Tea and centralized student services. This project was the result of a collaboration between the MSCBA, MassArt, Miller Dyer Spears, Walsh Bros. and MassArt's collegiate neighbor, the Mass. College of Pharmacy which aided in funding this project. Walsh Bros. was selected to manage the renovation of 3 floors of the MassArt and the construction of a 2-story building addition. The glass 2-story addition extends to Longwood Ave., redefining MassArt's visual presence within the Longwood Medical Area. The completion of a detailed logistics plan allowed for the relocation of the college's bookstore from first floor to the basement. The relocation was necessitated by a 1,500 s/f expansion of the servery and dining area and the addition of an art store and coffee shop and was completed while the surrounding areas were occupied. The second floor addition serves as home to the college president, dean of students, student counseling, and other administrative offices. Constructed on a zero lot line site in the Longwood Medical Area and abutting a MBTA station, the project presented a host of complex logistical challenges. Phasing and communication were critical components of the addition, which was completed ahead of schedule, with minimal disruption to ongoing operations, and with zero safety incidents.