Tall & Urban News

The design for a 57-meter mass timber building at Boston University has been recently shared. Designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, the new facility will house the Pardee School for Global Studies, which focuses on international relations.

Sited to be built on a former parking lot on the university’s campus, the building features a rectilinear form that will be wrapped in a triple-glazed glass envelope with Sefar solar shading in sections. Translucent insulated glass openings will expose the timber structure beneath, giving glimpses of the material. Designated as an all-electric, fossil fuel free design, the building emphasizes sustainability, and the monolithic shape helps minimize material use and overall energy loss.

Inside, the spatial program will include a vertical collaboration network of conference facilities, classrooms, faculty offices, and social spaces, along with double-height areas and large communal stairs designed for informal gatherings. The building footprint occupies only 10 percent of its site, leaving the remaining space open for future landscaping and greenery. 

On the roof, space is allocated for solar infrastructure to be installed at a future date, further aligning with the university’s carbon-neutral goals. The project represents Boston University’s commitment to sustainable urban development and the expansion of mass timber construction in the United States.

Learn more at Dezeen