Admissions Center, Brandeis University in Waltham, MA by Charles Rose Architects Inc.

Article source: Charles Rose Architects Inc.

Sited near the campus entrance, the admissions center is one of the first buildings that visitors see when entering Brandeis. First impressions were important to our clients when we began talks about design. Several questions became the basis of our work: How might the building accommodate large numbers of people and still feel intimate? How could the architecture impress—but not overwhelm—prospective students?

Image Courtesy John Linden

• Architects: Charles Rose Architects Inc.
• Project: Admissions Center, Brandeis University
• Location: Waltham, MA USA
• Commissioned by: Brandeis University
• Scope: 24,000 SF gateway building; offers official welcome to prospective students; three waiting areas; 100-seat presentation room; administration offices.
• Materials: Limestone; bush-hammered concrete; exposed aggregate concrete; stainless steel; aluminum windows; artisan plaster; acoustical plaster; American sycamore paneling.
• Completed: 2009
• Cost: $11,500,000
• Photo Credits: John Linden and Peter Vanderwarker
• Collaborators:
  
  • Landscape Architect: Reed Hilderbrand LLC
  • Civil Engineer: Nitsch Engineering
  • Geotechnical Engineer: McPhail Associates, Inc.
  • Structural Engineer: RSE Associates, Inc.
  • Lighting Consultant: PHT Lighting Design Inc.
  • Acoustical & IT Consultant: Acentech Inc.
  • Code Consultant: R.W. Sullivan Engineering

Image Courtesy John Linden

We knew Brandeis well when we started this project: Charles Rose Architects completed the Campus Center—directly across from the admissions center—in 2002. We linked the admissions building closely to the campus center by creating another sculptural design with limestone and abundant glass. The ground floor public space needed to be able to accommodate 100 visitors at a time. To create a more personal and intimate feel, we designed three separate waiting areas rather than herd people into one large area. The waiting areas are warm and light-filled; one has a fireplace; all have generous views of the campus.

Image Courtesy Peter Vanderwarker

Image Courtesy Peter Vanderwarker

Image Courtesy John Linden

Image Courtesy John Linden

Image Courtesy John Linden

Image Courtesy John Linden

Image Courtesy John Linden

Image Courtesy John Linden

Image Courtesy Peter Vanderwarker

Image Courtesy John Linden

Image Courtesy Charles Rose Architects Inc.

Image Courtesy Charles Rose Architects Inc.

Image Courtesy Charles Rose Architects Inc.

Image Courtesy Charles Rose Architects Inc.

Tags: MA, Waltham

Category: University Building

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