MIT – Simmons Hall

Construction of a new 350-bed, cast-in-place concrete residence facility at MIT’s Cambridge campus, designed by internationally acclaimed architect, Steven Holl. 

Client:		Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Designer:		Steven Holl Architects
Size:		196,000 SF

 

Project Features

• Perfcon concrete panels (high strength load-bearing precast panels in a waffle shape) poured onsite and installed to form the exterior walls of the building.
• 256 of the 290 Perfcon panels were unique configurations.
• Colors generated from the Perfon system engineering analysis are incorporated into the exterior window frames to reflect the differing loads.
• 5,998 two-foot square window openings within the exterior’s Perfcon precast panels.
• Each 20 foot span of precast had to maintain 1/16” tolerance for the windows.
• Five irregular vertical openings, as high as 40 feet, pass through the building, acting like lungs to provide fresh air throughout.
• To locate ceiling level studs for the “lung” spaces, points were laid out on the floor below, then plumbed up to the ceiling using vertal lasers.
• Unique tube and clamp staging system allowed the plasterers to create the irregular “lungs” shapes.
• Awards:  ACEC Engineering Excellence Honor Award, AGC Build Massachusetts Award, Best of Boston New Building Award, Charles Harleston Parker Medal, Architecture Boston Annual Awards, AIA National Design Award