Holyoke Center
Sert, Josep Lluis
Download1A1-SJ-HC-A03_cp.jpg (501.6Kb)
Alternate file
Alternative Title
Richard A. and Susan F. Smith Campus Center
Date
1958-1965Description
Detail of decorative concrete fins on top floor, Mt. Auburn St. facade (serve as brise soleil); In 1955, Sert founded a studio in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which in 1958 became a partnership with Huson Jackson and Ronald Gourley. Sert was the Graduate School of Design dean when he designed the building. Holyoke Center, which occupies a full city block in the heart of Harvard Square, is a ten-story, 360,000 square foot facility. The main plan of the concrete structure is H-shaped, with the north wing along Massachusetts Avenue and south wing along Mt. Auburn Street. The central connecting portion sets back from both Dunster Street and Holyoke Street and is approximately the same width as the two wings. Holyoke Center is the main administration building of Harvard University. It includes underground parking, the arcade, shops, and a bank at street level, university offices above, and a fully equipped infirmary, and University Health Services. At street level, a pedestrian arcade, occupying two stories in height, runs through the block. The building is set for renovation in 2016 and has been renamed. Source: docomomo (US) [website]; http://www.docomomo-us.org (accessed 8/2/2014)
Type of Work
mixed-use developmentSubject
architecture, contemporary (1960 to present), universities, Twentieth century
Rights
Rights Statement
Licensed for educational and research use by the MIT community only