Ray and Maria Stata Center

for Computer, Information, and Intelligence Sciences

Roll over photo thumbnails to change large image.        All photographs by Andy Ryan.

Architect	Gehry Partners, LLP
Completed	2004
Scope	430,000 gsf plus 290,000 gsf underground garage
design features	flexible research facilities classrooms large auditorium social areas along the interior "student street" fitness facilities childcare center
sustainable design elements	innovative storm water retention and management system that employs biofiltration and which services several of the surrounding buildings as well as the Stata Center. irrigation system connected to central weather station—system uses weather data to control water flow, identify leaks, and cut off water flow light pollution reduction extensive use of displacement ventilation utilizing a raised floor system monitoring and controlling CO levels in garage through a demand controlled ventilation system minimizing refrigerants and eliminating Halon, a fire retardant, in the building operable windows for natural ventilation and individual control, and which provide an abundant use of daylight in all interior spaces landscape design for Northeast Sector that uses native vegetation and water-efficient design roof design that incorporates landscaping for shading and storm water retention and a white reflective surface to reduce heat island effect construction waste management plan by contractor to recycle construction waste, which, for example, achieved a near 100 percent recycling rate for the demolition of the garage recycled timbers from Building 20 for flooring
Awards	2005 Grand Award for Engineering Excellence American Council of Engineering Companies 2005 Gold Award for Sustainable Site Design American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts

The Ray and Maria Stata Center for Computer, Information and Intelligence Sciences is built on the site of MIT's legendary Building 20, a "temporary" timber-framed building constructed during World War II that served as a breeding ground for many of the great ideas that were born at MIT. Designed by renowned architect Frank O. Gehry, the Stata Center is meant to carry on Building 20's innovative and serendipitous spirit, and to foster interaction and collaboration across many disciplines.

The building is home to the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), the Laboratory for Information and Decision Systems (LIDS) and the Department of Linguistics and Philosophy. Its striking design—featuring tilting towers, many-angled walls and whimsical shapes—challenges much of the conventional wisdom of laboratory and campus building.

When the building opened in 2004, Pulitzer Prize-winning critic Robert Campbell wrote in the Boston Globe that the building is "a work of architecture that embodies serious thinking about how people live and work, and at the same time shouts the joy of invention."

Project Team 

Project Managers/MIT	Nancy Joyce and David Lewis
Architect	Gehry Partners, LLP
associate architect	Cannon Design
landscape architect	Olin Partnership
mep engineers	R.G. Vanderweil Engineers, Inc.
structural engineers	John A. Martin and Associates, Inc.
Construction Manager	Skanska USA Building, Inc.