Bridges - Buro Happold

Harvard Allston Science Complex - BridgesBoston, Massachusetts, USABuro HappoldThe Harvard Allston Science Complex consists ofapproximately 1 million square feet in four multistorylaboratory and office buildings above a single,15m deep basement which covers the entire site.The buildings range in height from 5 to 7 stories plusmechanical penthouses and are linked with fourpedestrian bridges, which provide circulation amongthe buildings at levels 3, 4 and 5.The bridges are supported on inclined steel columnsand the adjacent buildings. Horizontal and verticalloads due to wind, asymmetrical crowd loading andearthquake are resisted by the buildings while gravityand live loads are transferred via the columns ontotransfer structures in the underground car park andthen through the columns in the basement to thefoundation raft. In line with architectural intent tomaintain slender columns, it is envisaged that thecolumns will be pined at either end and therefore willbe subject to axial loads only.Before the design of bridges commenced, overall designhad been well under way a number of constraints hadbeen already in place. These included limiting loadson buildings, allowing for seismic event, minimizingthe number of columns and restricting their locationto certain areas and avoiding barriers around bridgesupports.As one can appreciate the project is quite challengingand its delivery within the above mentioned constrainswould not be possible without fruitful collaborationamong the respective parties from the design teamwho worked across 4 time zones. (Los Angeles, Boston,London, Stuttgart).Key project informationClientArchitectProject valueAllston Development GroupBehnisch ArchitektenNot disclosedServices provided by Buro HappoldStructural Engineering, Bridge Engineering,Geotechnical Engineering, Site Supervision.49