An Official Beginning for the BU Center for Computing & Data Sciences Building

On Thursday, December 10th a groundbreaking ceremony was held at the site of the new state-of-the-art BU Center for Computing & Data Sciences building. The ceremony took place under a tent at the building’s location at the corner of Commonwealth Ave. and Granby St.

About 150 BU faculty, administration, and staff attended the event which featured four speakers including BU President Robert Brown, BU Provost Jean Morrison, BU Board of Trustees Chair Kenneth Feld and Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. Luigi LaRocca of KPMB Architects, the designer and architect of the building was also in attendance.

In her talk, Provost Jean Morrison pointed out that the building represents the investment and commitment that BU has made to the areas of research in computing and data sciences. Followed by the Provost, President Robert Brown then reminisced about how BU’s origins started in the downtown area of Boston and how the site of the new building was once a Burger King restaurant. Following the President, Boston Mayor Marty Walsh spoke of how the building will be the symbol of creativity and innovation. Finally, Kenneth Feld remarked how the building informs everyone that BU is serious about making a difference in the world. More than once, the speakers expressed how the distinctive design of the building will be a landmark for everyone to use:

“See that building, go there and take a left”

The event concluded with a ceremonial shovel and dirt photo opportunity with all of the speakers, plus Marianne McKenna of KPMB Architects participating. The center is expected to be finished sometime in 2022 and will be the future home of the Hariri Institute for Computing, computer science, and math and statistics departments.