PLANNING, DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
University Hall
painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, and video;
»
Chemistry Department teaching laboratories, including
laboratories for General Chemistry, Physiological
Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physical/Structural
Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry;
and
»
Performing Arts Department studios for acting,
instrument and vocal instruction, and dance. A 150-seat
recital hall and 150–200-seat theatre are also planned.
The $131 million facility, currently sized at approximately
University Hall, the second new academic building in the
190,000 gross square feet, will also house faculty and staff
UMass Boston Master Plan, will feature more than 25 general-
offices, a café, a student lounge, and study spaces. All spaces
use classrooms, including 18 classrooms seating 40 or fewer
will have state-of-the-art amenities, including instructional
students, and specialized spaces that will help meet pressing
technology, furnishings, and building systems. The new facility
academic needs and promote interactive teaching. Located
will incorporate many sustainable design strategies and will
adjacent to the Campus Center, the new building is scheduled
qualify for LEED Silver certification. It will be a lively
to open next spring.
interdisciplinary instructional facility serving all UMass
Boston students.
University Hall will also include two case method classrooms,
the first on campus. In addition, there will be a multi-media
A strong, inclusive process including academic leadership,
studio classroom, four 150–200-seat discussion halls, and a
faculty, staff, and students has been used as a cornerstone in
500-seat lecture hall. This classroom expansion is vital for
the planning and programming for this facility. This inclusive
UMass Boston in order to provide the number of classrooms
process will continue through subsequent design phases.
necessary to meet our growing enrollment and to be able to
“right-size” the square footage allocated per student in each
University of Massachusetts Building Authority (UMBA), the
classroom.
project’s major funding source, and project management firm
Joslin Lessor Associates are managing the project. Boston-
Specialized instructional spaces for three academic
based Wilson Architects is the project designer and Gilbane
departments will include:
Construction Company serves as the construction manager.
»
Art Department studios for digital media, drawing,
November 2015