Harvard Kennedy School campus construction

Building capacity, literally, at the public-policy campus

Construction work in progress at the Harvard Kennedy School

Photograph by Jim Harrison

Looking across the Kennedy School courtyard from Taubman toward Littauer

Looking across the Kennedy School courtyard from Taubman toward Littauer

Photograph by Jim Harrison

Looking toward Taubman from Littauer

Looking toward Taubman from Littauer | Photograph by Jim Harrison

Looking west toward the Charles Hotel complex

Looking west toward the Charles Hotel complex | Photograph by Jim Harrison

The Harvard Kennedy School aims to build students’ capacity for better public policy, wise democratic governance, international amity, and more. Now it is addressing its own capacity issues (as described here). In January, as seen across Eliot Street from the northeast (first image above), work was well under way to raise the level of the interior courtyard, install utility space in a new below-grade level, and erect a four-story “south building.” The project will bridge the Eliot Street opening between the Belfer (left) and Taubman (right) buildings with a new “gateway” structure that includes faculty offices and other spaces. The second and third images show views diagonally across the courtyard from Taubman toward Littauer, and vice versa. Turning west, across the courtyard toward the Charles Hotel complex (final image), affords a look at the current open space between buildings; the gap is to be filled with a new, connective academic building, including classrooms.

You might also like

Harvard Business School’s Andy Wu discusses far-out innovations.

Five Questions with Tien Jiang

How brushing and flossing can protect your heart

Inside Harvard’s Most Egalitarian School

The Extension School is open to everyone. Expect to work—hard.

Most popular

The University will compensate families of those whose remains were sold and establish a scholarship to honor anatomical donors.

The program will focus on the U.S. Congress and the separation of powers in its first year.

The 1884 Cannibalism-at-Sea Case That Still Has Harvard Talking

The Queen v. Dudley and Stephens changed the course of legal history. Here’s why it’s been fodder for countless classroom debates.

Explore More From Current Issue

Modern building with large glass windows, surrounded by greenery and pedestrians.

A roundup of University news from the summer of 2026

A busy classroom filled with students working at computers, colorful decor, and a bright atmosphere.

In 2004, a frenzy spread across Harvard Yard in days. Four billion users later, we are only just catching up.

A football player in a white jersey evades a defender in a green uniform on the field.

Despite personnel losses, Crimson captain Xaviah Bascon is upbeat about the 2026 season.