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.
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
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.
Left photo by Jackie Ricciardi; right photo by Cydney Scott
May 2020Construction begins after a two-month pandemic delay.
Left photo by Cydney Scott; right photo by Janice Checchio
Photo by Janice Checchio
Photos by Carl Peer
April 2021 Foundations and core construction completed.
Photos by Cydney Scott
May–September 2021Steel framing.
Left photo by Cydney Scott; right photo by Janice Checchio
Photo by Janice Checchio
Photos by Cydney Scott
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 by Janice Checchio
November 2021Concrete floor pours completed.
Left photo by Janice Checchio; right photo by Cydney Scott
New England Finishing Systems carpenter Carol Rogers waterproofing the CDS fifth floor exterior, November 17 (left). Photos by Cydney Scott
Views of the CDS from Warren Towers, November 30. Left photo by Cydney Scott; right photo by Jackie Ricciardi
Photos by Jackie Ricciardi
April 2022Curtain wall installation completed.
Left photo by Jackie Ricciardi; right photo by Cydney Scott
Photo by Cydney Scott.
2022Ongoing building interior construction.
Photos by Cydney Scott
Photos by Cydney Scott
October 2022Certificate of Occupancy.
Photo by Janice Checchio
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
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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
I do not like the shape of this building. In my opinion, the building does not blend at all with surrounding architecture.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 :’(
This will be long remembered not only for its architecture from outside but all the remarkable things that will come from inside. Congratulations BU!!.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comments & Discussion
Boston University moderates comments to facilitate an informed, substantive, civil conversation. Abusive, profane, self-promotional, misleading, incoherent or off-topic comments will be rejected. Moderators are staffed during regular business hours (EST) and can only accept comments written in English. Statistics or facts must include a citation or a link to the citation.