Vision Plan, College of
Fine Arts,
Boston University
Boston, Massachusetts
Following on the heels of Wilson Butler’s Facilities Plan for BU’s College of Fine Arts main building at 855 Commonwealth Avenue, the firm collaborated with the College to create a larger scale ‘Vision Plan’ that examines University-wide opportunities in conjunction with the renovation of the CFA.
The Plan celebrates the inspiring development potential inherent in the central campus location of the CFA. The Vision Plan, called “Art at the Heart: A Vision for BU”, identifies and explores opportunities to strengthen, unify and enliven the University as a whole, using the College’s artistic variety and vibrancy as a catalyst.
Through studies of the campus’ site context, with special focus on the CFA’s current renovation plans and its concentration of buildings where the BU Bridge meets Commonwealth Avenue, WBA designers developed a number of urban design recommendations that would benefit the CFA, the University, and the City of Boston. One suggestion of the Plan is to develop a central campus “quad” where the BU Bridge meets Comm Ave. This quad can be used for current campus events like University commencements, as well as a venue to present cultural events featuring the artists and performers at the CFA.
Today’s CFA administrators are inspired by the “dream-campus” envisioned by early 20th century BU President Murlin, which also celebrated the CFA as a geographically-central and unifying component of the University.
College of Fine Arts at Boston University
Project
Info
Complete:
2006
Scope:
Campus Planning, Architecture
Client:
Boston University
Staff:
Scott Wilson, AIA; Scott Butler, AIA; Jim Piatt, AIA
