Higher Education, Historic Preservation

Harvard Divinity School

Swartz Hall

Architect
Annum Architects
Location
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Size
107,000 SF
Sustainability
LEED Platinum 2023
Completed
2021
Download Project Sheet
Harvard Divinity School Swartz Hall 01
© Chuck Choi

Awards

  • 2022 Robert H. Kuehn Jr. Award, Preservation Massachusetts
  • 2022 Honorable Mention, The American Architecture Awards, Chicago Athenaeum
  • 2021 Best of Design Honorable Mention for Building Renovation, Architect’s Newspaper

Rejuvenated 112-year old Collegiate Gothic building creates new campus gateway

World-renowned Harvard Divinity School is the first nonsectarian theological school in the country. Founded in 1816, HDS is one of the oldest of Harvard’s professional schools. Swartz Hall, located at the center of campus, is Harvard University’s only example of Collegiate Gothic architecture. With its stone walls, soaring bell tower, and impressive woodwork, it is the Divinity School’s signature building. The renewal project was the Hall’s first since construction over 100 years ago.

Scope of work included renovation of Swartz Hall (55,000 gsf), renovation of Andover-Harvard Theological Library (36,000 gsf), replacement of the existing Cloister Link with a 13,000 gsf addition, and renovation of a portion (3,600 gsf) of Rockefeller Hall. The design creates a true campus center that brings together core academic resources with student services. The renewed spaces include modernized classrooms, communal spaces, a 200-seat auditorium, multi-faith chapel, and an updated multimedia infrastructure. Altieri’s work encompassed mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection systems design for each element of the project. The project targeted LEED Gold certification.