Harvard Divinity School, Swartz Hall

Honor Award for Religious Architecture: Renovation

Annum Architects, Inc.

Cambridge, MA

Harvard Divinity School’s mission is to educate students for intellectual leadership, professional service, and ministry. The 1911 structure was originally shaped by a turn-of-the-century curriculum centered on Western religion and education, but the school has evolved to encompass more than 45 faith traditions with an international, diverse student population.

The project renews and expands the historic building, creating an inviting, accessible front door for the school and campus. The revitalized building and addition welcome new audiences and provide needed assembly, instructional, and communal spaces. A 200-seat multipurpose room accommodates large events and colloquia, while a cafe provides new community and program space. The historic chapel was restored to provide greater access and inclusiveness. The school’s special library collections were consolidated, freeing space to create three new levels of classrooms, workplaces, and a multifaith worship space and ablution room.

The design reflects the school’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Awarded LEED Platinum and designed to achieve approximately 38% annual energy savings, the building envelope was completely rehabilitated, internally insulated, and retrofitted with high-performance windows. Healthy materials were prioritized while excluding chemicals that pollute the environment and harm construction and factory workers. New landscape includes the planting of more than 50 trees in a campus green. The rejuvenated site and building create a dynamic and inclusive new campus gateway and a spiritual, academic, and social center.

Jury Comments

The design insertions are transformative while honoring the existing spaces and architectural vocabulary. Each insertion performs several design duties. The detailing is elegant, welcoming, and spiritual. It excels in its design restraint.

Project Team Members

Ann Beha FAIA
Philip Chen FAIA
Ed Rice AIA
Amit Oza AIA
Mark Pantano

Project Consultants

Rogers, Lovelock & Fritz Inc. / Prime Architect
Altieri / MEP/FP
Structures North / Structural
Nitsch Engineering / Civil
Stimson / Landscape
Sladen Feinstein / Lighting
Acentech / Acoustics, AV, IT
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger / Envelope
Code Red Consultants / Code
Ricca / Food Service
Atelier Ten / Sustainability
Syska Hennessy / Elevator
Daedalu / Cost Estimating
Kalin Associates / Specifications
Shawmut Design and Construction / Construction Management
Chuck Choi / Photography