In the Works
by Sarah Wu
Photos Courtesy of Payette, Miller Dyer Spears and Elkus|Manfredi Architects
Boston University’s Facilities Management & Planning (FM&P) are usually known by students as the people to call when their toilets overflow, when something breaks or when they need to set up for an event. What many do not know is that the department conducts construction projects and boasts its own website with before and after photos and weekly updates of ongoing ventures.
Alejandro Herrería (SAR ’16, Questrom ’17) lived in Myles Annex his sophomore year at Boston University. Looking back on it now, he thinks the proposed changes to the building are for the better, and that, “Myles needed an investment since things kept breaking down.” He cited that the elevator in Myles Annex was broken the entire time he lived in the building, which made moving in more difficult. Herrería believes that Myles Annex and Myles Standish should be connected better, as the connection is currently “an awkward side hallway.”
For incoming freshmen who have not gone through housing selection yet, according to Rich Barlow’s article on the official website, students who choose to live in the limited rooms available in Myles will receive a 50 percent discount on the regular room rates, providing a remedy to the costs of attending the university. If you’re a heavy sleeper, this choice may make your wallet a little heavier too. Not just with coins, but with bills.
While Myles Standish is under construction, a new apartment building will be open for student housing at 1047 Commonwealth Avenue beginning in the 2016-17 academic year. This housing option is a bit more west, and is great for upperclassmen who want the independence and amenities of living off campus without dealing with angry landlords or poor apartment upkeep.
Those lucky enough during the housing lottery will be able to enjoy studio apartment-style singles, doubles or triples with air conditioning and in-unit washers and dryers, a far cry from dragging your laundry down the long winding hallway to the C Tower laundry room in Warren Towers.
Another one of the more prominent construction projects on campus is at 610 Commonwealth Avenue, the new site of the Center for Integrated Life Sciences & Engineering (CILSE), which is slated to open in Spring 2017. This center will be utilized by life science, engineering and physician students, according to FM&P’s website.
Unless you frequent the George Sherman Union basement, you may not have noticed that the GSU Alley, affectionately called “The Alley” by students, has fresh carpet and nicely sanded floors, which means no more splinters.
Calvin Hui (COM ’17) visited the recently renovated space this summer, and as a dancer, was excited to see (and feel) the new changes. He describes the floors as being much smoother to dance on, and no longer runs the risk of being stabbed by little tiny shards of wood while practicing in front of the mirror.
The building at 808 Commonwealth Avenue will house brand-new open studios, classrooms and offices among other changes to accommodate the expanding Graphic Design Master of Fine Arts program at BU.
Another great stride for the growing College of Fine Arts program is the planned 75,000-square- foot Boston University Theatre Center at 820
Commonwealth Avenue. After gaining approval by the Town of Brookline, construction will begin and reach completion in August 2017, just in time for the incoming Class of 2021. The key features of the new center include a black-box theatre and new studios for lighting, sound, costume and scenery classes.
David J. Castillo (CFA ’17) is excited for the creation of the new space for theatre performance students.
“For one, performance and D&P students are finally getting the opportunity to have more time working in close proximity with one another and while change is something that may be uncomfortable to all, it’s exciting to have a new state-of-the-art facility become available to us to train and share in.”