Winthrop House, comprised of two Neo-Georgian former freshman dormitory buildings from 1913, had undergone few upgrades since its construction. The renewal program re-envisioned Winthrop’s residential, academic, social, and co-curricular spaces and addresses technical challenges, including significant envelope upgrades, the installation of all-new mechanical systems, and detailed restoration work for the House’s signature public spaces. Amidst the sensitive context of Harvard’s River Houses, BBB also designed Robert M. Beren Hall, a distinctive 41-bed addition that includes shared amenities for undergraduates.
Harvard Undergraduate House Renewal, Winthrop House
Cambridge, MA

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker
BBB’s design for Winthrop House, one of Harvard’s historic River Houses, combines a complete re-visioning of its residential, academic, and public spaces with comprehensive envelope and system upgrades as well as a 41-bed addition.

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker
Working with the House Renewal Project Management Office, Faculty of Arts & Sciences, the Faculty Deans, and students, BBB both re-conceived the traditional public spaces and created new amenities to provide flexibility and variety of use. The original Dining Hall, which is partially below grade, has been expanded to increase dining capacity as well as enlarge the courtyard terrace atop the new extension. New common rooms and student life spaces, such as a student-run café and a rooftop common room with dramatic views of the Charles River and the Harvard campus, support the Winthrop House community spirit.

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker

Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker
Project Credits
BBB Partner-in-Charge
Elizabeth R. Leber
BBB Team
Susan Bopp
Kimberly Cornell
Michael Doiron
Margaret Kittinger
Elizabeth Kim
Aaron Lamport
Emma Leonard
Michael Elizabeth Rozas
Nathaniel Rogers
Monica Siebenmorgen
Michael Wetstone
Kimberly Cornell
Michael Doiron
Margaret Kittinger
Elizabeth Kim
Aaron Lamport
Emma Leonard
Michael Elizabeth Rozas
Nathaniel Rogers
Monica Siebenmorgen
Michael Wetstone
Structural
CVM
Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing
Bard, Rao + Athanas Consulting Engineers
Landscape Architecture
Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates, Inc.
Civil Engineering
VHB | Vanasse Hangen Brustlin
Lighting
SBLD Studio
Acoustics
Shen Milsom & Wilke LLC
Audio/Visual
AV Helpdesk Inc.
Vertical Transportation
Van Deusen Associates
Construction Manager
Lee Kennedy Co Inc
Code/Life Safety
Jensen Hughes
Sustainability
Atelier Ten
Food Service
The Hysen Group
Construction Manager
Consigli Construction Co., Inc.
Photography
Courtesy of Harvard, Peter Vanderwarker
Awards & Press
ENR New England
2018 Best Project and Award of Merit, Renovation/Restoration
Cambridge Historical Commission
Cambridge Preservation Award
Boston Globe
The safe spaces that our colleges really need
Harvard Gazette
Welcome Renewal at Winthrop
Harvard Crimson
Winthrop Affiliates Excited About Renewal Possibilities
Harvard Crimson
Winthrop Renewal Plans Include Addition to Gore Hall
Harvard Magazine
Plans for Winthrop House Renewal Include Expansion
Harvard Gazette
Renewing Winthrop House


