FNL HomePage
Editorial Board
E-mail FNL
FNL Archives
MIT HomePage

Construction Update

Construction Proceeds on the MIT Building Program

Ruth T. Davis

Progress on the Institute's plan to enhance the physical environment continued during the summer months. The following is an update on the major projects underway.

The Ray and Maria Stata Center for Computer, Information and Intelligence Sciences [photo]. Design development proceeded, while construction continued on the underground garage. Construction of the slurry wall was completed in October 2000. The reinforced concrete structure for the below-grade facilities should be finished by September 2001.

Simmons Hall [photo]. Excavation began on this 10-story undergraduate dormitory on Vassar Street in October. The dormitory was designed to include space for activities to support and enhance student life. The award-winning design features several atria, an exercise room, study areas, a cafeteria, and a multi-purpose room. The project is on schedule for fall 2002 occupancy.

Albert and Barrie Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center [photo]. Construction of Phase I of this project began in September and will complete MIT's 25-year athletic and recreation plan. This first phase includes a 50-meter Olympic pool and instructional pools with spectator seating for 500, a health and fitness area, six squash courts, a multi-activity court, administrative offices, and renovated general and team locker rooms. The schematic design is complete for Phase II of the project, which will eventually replace Rockwell Cage and provide additional athletic facilities. The project is scheduled for completion in June 2002.

224 Albany Street graduate dormitory [photo]. The conversion of Building NW30 from an early twentieth-century mill building to efficiency apartment-style housing for 120 graduate students began in July 2000. Kitchen facilities, sleeping alcoves, and individual baths will be provided. Construction was completed in August 2001.

70 Sidney and Pacific Street dormitory. The construction of student housing, which began in January, continues on the fast track. The steel structure is almost complete and the building, which will house approximately 700 students, will be occupied next summer.

Vassar Street Utilities. The installation of underground utilities to support the Stata Center, 224 Albany Street, Building NW30, the Zesiger Sports and Fitness Center, and Simmons Hall continues. Water mains in support of Simmons Hall are installed to the east end of the site. Chilled water, fire protection water, telephone and electric duct banks are progressing west from Steinbrenner Stadium to Audrey Street. Telephone and electric duct banks are complete to NW30 while the chilled water is scheduled to be completed this coming summer. Steam piping is installed from Massachusetts Avenue west to Building NW13 and will be placed over the roof at NW13 and NW14.

Dreyfus Chemistry Building. The multi-phase renovation of Building 18 continues. During this infrastructure renewal project, all labs, support, and office spaces will be renovated in vertical phases from one end of the building to the other while the building is two-thirds occupied. This project will provide a more efficient, safe, and code-compliant layout, address energy conservation issues, and will repair and upgrade the exposed concrete skin. Expected completion is summer of 2003.

In order to minimize disruption to the community and to keep people informed, Facilities has launched both a construction impact mitigation program and a comprehensive communications effort. Construction updates continue to be published in Tech Talk and The Tech. This August, an expanded Website http://web.mit.edu/evolving premiered.

FNL HomePage
Editorial Board
E-mail FNL
FNL Archives
MIT HomePage