Project Description
The New England Conservatory of Music is the oldest independent school of music in the United States. Located in Boston’s East Fenway district, the Conservatory occupies 2.5 acres and offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, a continuing education program, and a preparatory program. The core of the campus is Jordan Hall, an internationally-known concert hall, restored by ABA. NEC’s new 125,000 sf Student Life and Performance Center incorporates housing for over 250 students, dining commons, student and community services, and a new music library for print, digital, and archival resources. The design introduces a new streetscape, emphasizes sustainability, and sources regional materials. Its unique terra cotta tile façade is companioned with a performance podium clad in a stainless steel, light-filtering curtain, offering a new black box opera workshop, orchestra and jazz rehearsal rooms, and extensive library. Residential floors offers a mix of rooms and lounges with broad Boston views. The project creates a vibrant new setting for the arts, invigorating NEC’s urban presence and cultural impact. Gensler was ABA’s Associate Architect and Architect of Record.