SCUP/AIA-CAE Excellence in Architecture Renovation or Adaptive Reuse, Merit Award

Tufts University Interfaith Center at Tufts University, Medford, MA and J. Stewart Roberts Associates, Somerville, MA

 
Photo by Stewart Roberts
 

          
Photo by Peter Vanderwarker     Photo by Stewart Roberts

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The new Interfaith Center at Tufts University involved renovating an existing wood frame building originally constructed in 1912 as a Knights of Columbus Hall. The university wanted to use the building for meeting and gathering spaces for up to 100 persons. The pressure to find suitable locations for several diverse religious groups triggered the decision to locate three offices for university chaplains here, and provide space for religious meetings and services. 

Goals were to complete the project by September 1, 2007, and make it cost-effective. The university also wanted the facility to look like it was a part of its institution, yet be a good neighbor to the surrounding residences. 

The facility needed a design that reflected the institution, the needs of the religious groups meeting there, and the scale, materials, and architectural character of the neighborhood. Since the facility is used for religious gatherings, it was important to bring in as much natural light as possible. The choice for exterior materials respect the original architecture of the structure and relate to its neighborhood context of shingled homes.

The key design concept for the renovation was to provide a new headhouse for support functions in the big meeting space, including an accessible entrance, elevator, and accessible ablution and restroom spaces.  Time constraints were a factor in project phasing so interior demolition was completed while proceeding with design and documentation. The overlapping of project phases allowed for a timely completion of the building. 

The building has become a popular meeting space for the university and various religious and other groups successfully share the space. The building appearance, scale, and choice of exterior materials have been well received by the neighborhood. 

“The new Interfaith Center fits into the overall policy and historical foundations of Tufts University, a school based on the principles of religious liberty and religious freedom,” says Reverend David M. O’Leary, University Chaplain.

The new Interfaith Center not only provides a physical space for those that had been without, but it provides a psychological space, a concrete reinforcement of the University’s aim to welcome and support a diverse student population. 

The jury said, “ . . . liked the process and significance of the connection to the community . . . great improvement to the neighborhood . . .”

Project Team: Tufts University, and J. Stewart Roberts Associates with Roome & Guarracino Structural Engineering; RDK Engineers; and Nitsch Engineering