Roux Institute at Northeastern University

overview

To be located on the waterfront of Portland, Maine, on the site of the former B&M Baked Bean factory, the Roux Institute at Northeastern University will provide learning, research and collaboration spaces offering innovative programs in artificial intelligence, computer and data sciences, digital engineering, advanced life sciences and medicine. The building’s unique curved and arched design draws inspiration from the iconic Bailey Island Bridge, and its materiality—combining granite, brick, copper, wood and glass—reflects its industrial context.

We are providing structural design, functional parking design, and sustainability and resilience services to CambridgeSeven for phase one of the project, which includes a 245,000-square-foot, six-story academic building and new parking garage.

highlights

• The building features a bold inclined facade that sweeps outward, supported on two major concrete cores and exposed V columns within the arched atrium. The building cantilevers on two sides to float above the land as it gestures to the sea. The sloping roof surface is tiered as the building rises and is enabled for a future solar panel installation. The two-story west wing is constructed with mass timber to house classrooms and meeting space with an occupiable green roof terrace.
• Our experts led the development of a sustainability charter for the academic building as well as for the entire campus that outlines project commitments for energy, embodied carbon, materials, water, occupant experience, transportation equity and resilience. We also provided energy modeling with the goal of eliminating fossil fuel usage.
• Our climate risk and resilience assessment considered the impacts of current and future natural hazards including coastal and tidal flooding, seismic activity, high winds, severe winter weather, and extreme precipitation and heat. The assessment resulted in adaptive and performance-based design objectives that exceed the City of Portland’s code minimums for resilient design.