Project

Kilachand Honors College: Knowledge. Humanity. Community.

A Boston University landmark is restored and reimagined for today’s students

Kilachand Residence Hall

Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts

Many years in the making, Finegold Alexander designed the renovation and reconstruction of Kilachand Hall, home to BU’s Kilachand Honors College. Program goals included the creation of flexible, fully accessible student gathering spaces and seminar and group study rooms to serve the students in this diverse living-learning community with its challenging, interdisciplinary curriculum. These program areas were to be located at the top of the building – completely reconstructing and adding to the existing ninth floor lounge areas. Working collaboratively with Stefura Associates, finishes and furnishings enhance and accommodate many learning and study modes. To accomplish the creation of these spaces, Finegold Alexander designed a new internal egress stair and elevators to service the increased occupant load of the ninth floor, enable the removal of exterior fire escapes – achieving significant life safety upgrades. The building’s masonry exterior was completely restored, and accessible sleeping rooms and bathrooms created in the area of the stair insertion at the intermediate floors. The reconstruction of the 9th floor’s systems and envelope were designed to perform beyond energy code requirements, and the project has submitted for LEED Gold certification. The full demolition and redesign of the ninth floor—with its breathtaking Charles River and Boston skyline views—creates a welcome sanctuary with a supportive, communal atmosphere for the hardworking residents of Kilachand Hall.

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Size
114,649 SF
Scope
Occupied Renovation, Addition, Envelope Restoration
Program
Gathering and Co-Curricular spaces. Seminar Room and Individual and Group Study spaces. Accessible Residence Hall sleeping rooms and bathrooms.
Sustainability
Awards
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The Kilachand Hall renovation represents a significant achievement in enhancing the living and learning environment for the Kilachand Honors College community. This project has been many years in the making, and we are honored to have worked with Boston University and our project partners in the creation of this welcoming, accessible, and vibrant space for the benefit of todays and future students.
     -- Rebecca Berry, President & Principal
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The East wing includes a fully glazed seminar room with areas of openable wall. When not used for teaching and collaboration by the Honors College, all residents can use the space for study.

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It’s definitely a big improvement. It used to feel like one big room, and now there are different corners and areas where you can establish a study spot and stay there a while, which I really like. You used to not be able to see the view because the windows were dirty, now you get a full view of the city; it’s motivating when I study. I think I’ll be going back to Kilachand a lot more to study this year.
       -- Maya Santow, Boston University Student