Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing, Building 45

This new signature building houses the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, MIT’s interdisciplinary hub for research and education in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, and related fields.

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Front entrance and lobby, showcasing the building’s elements of transparency (Courtesy SOM)

MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing, Building 45

51 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA

Status: Complete

Themes: Innovation and collaboration
Enhancement of life and learning

Completion: 2023

This new signature building houses the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing, MIT’s interdisciplinary hub for research and education in computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, and related fields.

Overview

Front entrance and lobby, showcasing the building’s elements of transparency (Courtesy SOM)
The south-facing façade (Courtesy SOM)
View from Vassar Street (Courtesy SOM)

Status

Complete

Completion Date

2023

Themes and priorities

Innovation and collaboration
Enhancement of life and learning

Building 45 serves as headquarters for the MIT Stephen A. Schwarzman College of Computing, established in 2019. The College is a unique interdisciplinary organization for research and education addressing the opportunities and challenges of the computing age — from hardware and software to algorithms and artificial intelligence — focused on three key areas: computing fields, computing across disciplines, and the social and ethical aspects of computing.

Centrally located on Vassar Street, Building 45 provides state-of-the-art research and education space, including two laboratories designed for multiple uses such as digital fabrication and robotics. Convening areas include a 250-seat lecture hall, spaces for project-based student work, and collaborative and gathering spaces to facilitate spontaneous interactions. The building’s shingled-glass façade and transparent elements further encourage interaction and engagement between the community and the College. Research spaces are concentrated on the building’s middle floors, and the top floor includes an event space and outdoor terrace offering views of the campus and the Boston skyline.

The MIT Schwarzman College of Computing engages faculty, students, and collaborators across a broad array of disciplines to pursue education, research, and innovation in computing and artificial intelligence (AI). Its reach extends from sciences and engineering to architecture and urban planning, business management, and the humanities and the arts. Building 45 is designed to reflect this uniquely broad yet focused approach, which aims to generate and support world-changing, multidisciplinary solutions grounded in computer science and AI innovations

The project team is targeting LEED v4 Gold certification at a minimum.

Image credits

Courtesy SOM

Details

Address

51 Vassar Street, Cambridge, MA

School or Unit

College of Computing

Use

Academic

Project Team

Architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM), New York, NY
Construction manager: Suffolk Construction, Boston, MA
MIT Team: Emma Corbalán, Travis Wanat

Scope

174,000 gsf

Map

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