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Steffian Bradley
Architects Breaks Ground on the Florence and Chafetz Hillel
House at Boston University
New structure will double
the size of its half-century old predecessor
BOSTON, May 6, 2003 - Steffian Bradley Architects
(SBA), a leading Boston-based international architectural
firm, today announced ground has been broken on the new Florence
and Chafetz Hillel House on the campus of Boston University
(BU). The new design and location of the Florence and Chafetz
Hillel House replaces the existing Hillel House that has been
used by students since 1953. Jackson Construction Company
is the construction manager on the project.
“As a gathering place for both religious and secular
activities of the Jewish student community and the community
at large, the new Hillel House will welcome visitors into
a beautiful, inviting space,” said Oscar Wasserman,
President of the Boston University Hillel Board of Directors.
“Hillel fosters the development and sense of community
Jewish students have at BU, and this new structure provides
the ideal environment for students to enjoy a Judaic lifestyle
and become active members of the larger Jewish community.”
Overlooking the Charles River, the 33,000 square foot, four-story
building is located at the corner of Bay State Road and Granby
Street. The Florence and Chafetz Hillel House provides an
ending for the block and serves as the transition between
BU’s collegiate neighborhood and the residential community
on Bay State Road. Traditional materials such as brick, granite
and limestone harmonize the building with the neighborhood.
“As part of the design process, the project team surveyed
other Hillel facilities at schools nationwide and gathered
input and approval from the Jewish community, neighborhood
associations, historical preservation groups, Boston University
and the Boston Redevelopment Authority,” stated Norman
S. Kram, President of Enkay Associates, the owner’s
representative on the project. “The design team at SBA
has garnered praise at every step in the approvals process.”
“The challenge was to design a flexible, comfortable
space that students could use on a daily basis, yet also address
the needs of religious functions that will occur there,”
added Stephen W. Van Ness, AIA a Principal at Steffian Bradley
Architects. “The new Hillel House is geared towards
today’s Jewish students and also serves as a bridge
between BU and the neighborhood.”
When complete in the summer of 2004, the Hillel House interiors
will feature three chapels for Orthodox, Conservative and
Reform worship, kosher kitchens and dining hall, coffee bar,
student work and study areas, as well as multi-use spaces.
The building will also include galleries for temporary and
permanent exhibits. Lounge spaces in the building will provide
a casual, home-like environment for students to gather. Students
will be able to connect to the Internet and the University
computer system through an access card system on all floors.
About Steffian Bradley Architects
Steffian Bradley Architects (SBA) is an award-winning architecture,
planning, interior, lighting and urban design firm. In business
since 1932 with offices in Boston and London, SBA specializes
in design and planning for healthcare, academic, residential
and corporate/commercial clients, with current projects in
the United States, China and the United Kingdom. For more
information, please visit www.steffian.com.
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Heather A. Baker
Marketing Coordinator
Steffian Bradley Architects Boston • London
100 Summer Street
Boston, MA 02110.2106
United States
V 617.305.7182
F 617.305.7199
www.steffian.com
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