An Iconic Building Rises: Photo Gallery Traces Construction of BU’s Center for Computing & Data Sciences

Nearly 40 images of highlights from the three-year project

Photo: Center for Computing & Data Sciences at sundown Nov 16. A large, alternating bookcase-like structure is shown during a blue and red sunset. Structure is covered in reflective glass and reflects the street next to it.A green "Commonwealth Ave" street sign is shown prominently at the base of the building.
Photography

An Iconic Building Rises: Photo Gallery Traces Construction of BU’s Center for Computing & Data Sciences

Nearly 40 images of highlights from the three-year project

December 6, 2022
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Three years after a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of the Center for Computing & Data Sciences construction, Boston University celebrates the opening of the iconic building on December 8.

BU Today photographers Janice Checchio, Jackie Ricciardi, and Cydney Scott chronicled the construction from start to finish. They estimate taking a combined total of more than 10,000 photos, shooting at all hours, through all seasons, in all types of weather. 

To celebrate completion of the $305 million building, they pulled together a collection of photos that trace its rise from groundbreaking to those first excavations to the soaring 305-foot-tall cantilevered tower now rising over BU’s Central Campus.

Before After
Before After

Slide the bars left and right to see two different perspectives of how the Center for Computing & Data Sciences appears under construction, now, and how it will look when finished in late 2022. Photos by Jackie Ricciardi

People hold shovels with dirt to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Computing & Data Sciences Center
Portrait of Azer Bestavros who looks through a chain link fence towards the site of BU's new Data Sciences building.

BU Center for Computing & Data Sciences Groundbreaking: Luigi LaRocca of KPMB Architects (from left), Kenneth Feld (Questrom’70), then BU Board of Trustees chair, Jean Morrison, BU provost, Martin Walsh, then Boston mayor, Robert A. Brown, BU president, Marianne McKenna of KPMB Architects, and John Fish of Suffolk Construction at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the state-of-the-art building on Commonwealth Avenue December 5, 2019. Left photo by Cydney Scott. Azer Bestavros, associate provost for computing and data sciences, at the CDS site. Right photo by Jackie Ricciardi

2019–2020
Geothermal wells drilled, summer into winter.

Photo: Construction at the Center for Computing and Data Sciences on August 18, 2020. A large plot of land is full of construction workers and vehicles as the foundation is worked on for the building.
Photo: The data Science construction continues on the corner of Bay State Rd and Granby Street August 31. A masked metal worker is shown welding something as sparks fly around him. A large orange umbrella is open above him.

Left photo by Jackie Ricciardi; right photo by Cydney Scott

May 2020Construction begins after a two-month pandemic delay.

Photo: Construction site of the future Center for Computing and Data Sciences building. A large pit filled with metal work, pipes, and foundation work is shown being built in progress by construction workers.
Photo: Construction site of the future Center for Computing and Data Sciences building. A large pit filled with metal work, pipes, and foundation work is shown being built in progress by construction workers.

Left photo by Cydney Scott; right photo by Janice Checchio

Photo by Janice Checchio

Photo: Drone coverage of the construction of the Center for Computing and Data Sciences building. Construction site of the future Center for Computing and Data Sciences building. A large pit filled with metal work, pipes, and foundation work is shown being built in progress by construction workers.
Photo: Construction site of the future Center for Computing and Data Sciences building. A large pit filled with metal work, pipes, and foundation work is shown being built in progress by construction workers.

Photos by Carl Peer

April 2021
Foundations and core construction completed.

Photo: Crews working at the new Center for Data Sciences
Photo: Crews working at the new Center for Data Sciences

Photos by Cydney Scott

May–September 2021Steel framing.

Photo: Crews working at the new Center for Data Sciences
Photo of a construction worker standing on the large steel beam scaffolding of the future Center for Computing & Data Sciences building. The sky behind them is light blue.

Left photo by Cydney Scott; right photo by Janice Checchio

Photo: Boston University's campus along the Charles River on a sunny day. The beginning profiles of the Center for Data Sciences' structure can be seen in progress amongst the buildings.

Photo by Janice Checchio

Photo: The construction of the Data Science Center at 645-665 Commonwealth Avenue continues August 18. Shown is a view of an area which will be both a set of stairs and a collaboration area.
Vertical photo of construction at the Data Science Center at 645-665 Commonwealth Avenue that shows the height of the building. A red crane and concrete elevator shaft stretch into the blue sky.

Photos by Cydney Scott

Photo: Onlookers watch and look above as the final beam is put into place during the Topping Off ceremony at the Data Sciences Building September 30.
Photo: Covered in signatures, the final beam is put into place during the Topping Off ceremony at the Data Sciences Building September 30. The Marine flag and the American flag hang off the beam as two hard hat workers help lead it into place.

Azer Bestavros (from left), Jean Morrison, and Robert A. Brown as the final beam (right) is put in place during the September 30, 2021, CDS topping-off ceremony. Photos by Cydney Scott

Photo: Construction of the Center for Computing & Data Sciences. The construction site is shown as a black silhouette on the shadowy Boston Skyline during a vibrant red and orange sunset.

Photo by Janice Checchio


November 2021Concrete floor pours completed.

Photo: Construction of the Center for Computing & Data Sciences. The metal framework of the building is shown lit up during the night.
Photo of the data sciences building before the cantilevers were removed.

Left photo by Janice Checchio; right photo by Cydney Scott

Photo of a construction worker sitting at the edge of a floor of the data sciences building and removing a blue tarp from the ground. Comm Ave is seen below him.
A large supporting beam is removed from the side of the data sciences building. Two construction workers look on from the platform below. In the background, the Cambridge side of the charles river is seen, and the trees along the river have fall-colored leaves.

New England Finishing Systems carpenter Carol Rogers waterproofing the CDS fifth floor exterior, November 17 (left). Photos by Cydney Scott

Photo of the data sciences building with the cantilevers removed taken November 30, as the stacked book look of the building begins to take shape.
Photo of the Data Science building after the cantilevers have been removed, revealing the buildings outline that resembles a stack of books. The sky is bright blue with puffy white clouds and the trees have fall-colored leaves.

Views of the CDS from Warren Towers, November 30. Left photo by Cydney Scott; right photo by Jackie Ricciardi

Photo: Installation begins on the staircase inside of The BU Center for Computing & Data Sciences on March 17, 2022. A construction worker welds in the dark on a staircase.
Photo: Installation begins on the staircase inside of The BU Center for Computing & Data Sciences on March 17, 2022. A construction worker welds in the dark on a staircase. They hang upwards on a small platform as they work on a high edge.

Photos by Jackie Ricciardi

April 2022Curtain wall installation completed.

Photo: Installation begins on the staircase inside of The BU Center for Computing & Data Sciences on March 17, 2022. Overhead shot shows four construction workers reviewing a larger blueprint and plans.
Photo: Students take advantage of a beautiful afternoon on BU Beach April 11. A large crowd of students hang out on a green lawn. The Data Science building can be seen looming in the background with it's reflective mirror sides.

Left photo by Jackie Ricciardi; right photo by Cydney Scott

Photo: View of the Center for Computing and data Sciences from Commonwealth Ave April 20. From this viewpoint, the sides of the building alternate a copper color and a reflective mirror side.

Photo by Cydney Scott.

2022Ongoing building interior construction.

Photo: Two construction workers handle a large plane of reflective glass for the Center for Computing and Data Science. They carefully place it on the platform high above the ground.
Photo: Interior of the Center for Computing and Data Science as work continues to be done. A winding staircase can be seen taking shape in the cluttered, busy interior.

Photos by Cydney Scott

Photo: Interior of the Center for Computing and Data Science as work continues to be done. A half built wall with wooden slat paneling is shown.
Photo: Interior of the Center for Computing and Data Science as work continues to be done. View of a hallway made of room rooms with sides and doors made of glass. A not finished floor is lined with cardboard.
Photo: Interior of the Center for Computing and Data Science as work continues to be done. A large set of stairways set in cement are shown next to a large set of glass walls tot he right. Various construction workers can be seen working around the scene.

Photos by Cydney Scott

October 2022Certificate of Occupancy.

Photo: Boston University’s Center for Computing & Data Sciences is shown as part of the nighttime Boston Skyline. Buildings are lit and a reflection of the city is shown on the river in front of everything.

Photo by Janice Checchio

Photo: The Center for Computing and Data Sciences on October 12, 2022. Overhead shot shows continued work on the almost-finished butterfly staircase.
Photo: Workers lay dirt out onto a wooden deck under construction. The mirrored side of the building on the left of them reflects the sunlight brightly and a distant cityscape of Boston can be see in the background.

Part of the CDS butterfly staircase (left). One of the many roof terraces, with their stunning views of much of Boston, Cambridge, and the Charles (right). Photos by Jackie Ricciardi

December 2022Opening Ceremony

Photo: Center for Computing & Data Sciences at sundown Nov 16. A large, alternating bookcase-like structure is shown during a blue and red sunset. Structure is covered in reflective glass and reflects the street next to it.A green "Commonwealth Ave" street sign is shown prominently at the base of the building.
Photo by Cydney Scott

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There are 18 comments on An Iconic Building Rises: Photo Gallery Traces Construction of BU’s Center for Computing & Data Sciences

    1. Agree. It’s a fascinating design and great environmental innovations, but it just does not work well with the rest of campus buildings. And at $1million/foot, it was hardly a bargain.

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  4. Good morning! In my Art History class in the ’60s, my lecturer quoting someone, whose name eludes me, said: “On first impression, true art strikes one as either the most beautiful or ugliest object one has ever seen. Behold true art!

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  5. I may call it “a disco ball for blockheads”, but I’m thrilled that we have a forward looking building and a break from “it can be anything, as long as it is made of red bricks and looks like every other red brick building”. As for blending in with the surroundings, it will always blends in with the surrounding sky.

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  6. I’m extremely excited about the new building, as a Data Science minor it will be very helpful to have a more cohesive sense of community. Currently, all of our classes are spread out throughout the campus. Also, the structure of the building brings a futuristic and youthful aura to our campus.

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  7. This is more than an iconic, eco-friendly structure, it is art; a brash, bold, self-confident statement breathing new life into its neighborhood and heralding BU’s promise of leadership in cutting-edge science and technology.

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  8. As a student who has watched the construction of this building since its conception, I have been in awe of how something a university can spend so much money on can be so ugly. While its obvious the unique (or should I say abnormal) building shape is clearly as a way to create an identifiable BU landmark in the Boston skyline, the building is frankly an eyesore, ruining the otherwise charming character of the CRC, and blinding drivers on Comm Ave daily with its glaring and reflective exterior. Considering Warren towers is deteriorating as we speak, maybe some of the budget could have been allocated towards this instead of a futuristic staircase that will inevitably never be used. Rhett does not approve :’(

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  12. I love the new building! I’m proud of BU for building such a “green” building. I love that it will have such fabulous light and amazing views. The photo essay was terrific too, and I’m walking away with a serious appreciation for all of the builders. That is some incredible construction work outdoors in all of the elements.

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  13. I was a BU freshman in 1965. I would park my car in the alley that was behind the new building. If I had to lose my parking space to this building, I approve.

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  14. This facility may succeed in providing students, faculty and the world with educational results for which it was intended, but as a traditionalist, and a BU graduate of the late 60’s, the building is “UGLY!” Does not maintain the serenity and look of the campus or Boston. Could have just as easily been built carbon free in a more harmonious way.

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  15. Love the photo by Janice Checchio showing the campus and new building at night complete with a full moon and reflections on the Charles River. Well done, Janice.
    I’m learning to like the design.

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