In 2008, as Harvard University began preparing for the renovation of the Harvard Art Museum’s building at 32 Quincy Street (home of the Fogg Museum and Busch-Reisinger Museum), various museum and university resources had to be relocated to other areas of the campus. It was determined that the Fine Arts Library Digital Images and Slide Collection would move to a space in the basement of the Arthur M. Sackler Museum, the third museum under the Harvard Art Museum umbrella, located across the street from the 32 Quincy site. kdA was selected to design and plan the Media Slide Library’s move and new home.

The project was planned and completed in three phases to address the unique set of challenges the basement space posed. kdA’s design priority and greatest challenge was to create a serene learning zone in what was once a rough workshop. The ceiling is shaped by the systems above and curves at the building’s perimeter, bouncing natural light into the Library’s public rooms.

The perforated panels are composed of a standard panel, cut and hung in a custom pattern with a traditional suspension system; this panel and suspension system’s off-the-shelf availability greatly reduced construction costs. All casework, including the media support/information desk, is custom designed with off-the-shelf Douglas Fir AC plywood paneling, which is typically used for structural sheathing.

Shelving units and desks are modular and cut in a custom pattern to minimize material waste and reduce installation time. In the slide viewing area, a custom LED light table was created in response to the staff’s requests and input for a better table design. Eight individual pools of light with local controls are integrated into one long table, allowing several people to work at one time.

kDA was also selected to develop a new arts facility in Allston to serve as headquarters while the Fogg was being renovated and expanded by Renzo Piano. kDA’s developed concept included a 135,000SF Art Center providing teaching and research facilities, an object-based study center, conservation laboratories, gallery space, and public education programs for HUAM. Taking advantage of the urban site in Barry’s Corner in Allston, all galleries and activities such as the study center, conservation laboratory, museum shop and café were brought to the foreground to allow the public and University communities a visual connection to the functions of the Museum. A three-story glass lobby intensifies this visual connection, linking the building’s interior with the bustling Western Avenue and the café, museum shop and 2,000SF of gallery space on a portion of the ground floor.