The international architecture firm Studio Gang, led by renowned architect Jeanne Gang, has announced the completion of the David Rubenstein Treehouse at Harvard University. This groundbreaking 55,000-square-foot building represents Harvard's first university-wide hub for convening and marks a historic milestone as the first mass timber construction on the prestigious campus.
The innovative structure serves as the anchor for Harvard's new Enterprise Research Campus (ERC) in Allston, a dedicated space designed to foster innovation and collaboration across disciplines. The building establishes a new model for sustainable architecture not only for Harvard but for educational institutions worldwide, demonstrating the potential of environmentally conscious design in academic settings.
The three-story Rubenstein Treehouse features a carefully planned layout optimized for various types of gatherings and events. The ground level houses a 6,000-square-foot public lobby, an 850-square-foot café, and 2,300 square feet across two loggias that also function as entry points to the building. The second floor contains 5,400 square feet of flexible breakout spaces and meeting rooms of varying sizes, designed to support larger events in the main hall or operate independently for smaller gatherings.
The building's crown jewel is the third-floor Canopy Hall, an impressive 8,000-square-foot ballroom that serves as the primary meeting space for major university events. This level also includes a 1,100-square-foot outdoor terrace, providing additional space for outdoor programming and offering panoramic views of the surrounding campus and Boston skyline.
The project represents a collaborative effort involving multiple industry leaders and specialists. Scape served as the landscape architect, while Arup provided structural engineering expertise. The development was overseen by Tishman Speyer, with Studio Gang as the design architect. Sustainability consultants included PerkinsWill, Harvard's Office for Sustainability, and Arup, ensuring the project met the highest environmental standards.
The construction utilized an extensive network of specialized contractors and suppliers. Consigli and Smoot Construction served as the primary contractors, while the project incorporated products from over 70 manufacturers, including Andreu World, Forbo Flooring Systems, Benjamin Moore, Kohler, and many others, demonstrating the complexity and scale of modern sustainable construction.
As Harvard's first mass timber building, the Rubenstein Treehouse sets a precedent for holistically sustainable construction practices in Boston and serves as a model for other institutions seeking to reduce their environmental impact. The use of mass timber not only reduces the building's carbon footprint but also creates warm, inviting interior spaces that enhance the user experience and promote collaboration.
The completion of the David Rubenstein Treehouse marks a significant step forward in Harvard's commitment to sustainability and innovation, providing a state-of-the-art facility that will serve the university community for generations to come while demonstrating leadership in environmentally responsible architecture.
