Architecture & Design

Explore Harvard’s role in shaping architecture and design—on campus and around the globe.

A graphic depiction of a stone wall, reimagining the stone wall set in Harvard Square near Winthrop Street

One of Harvard’s Oldest Structures Is Hiding Behind a Beer Garden

A crumbling wall in Harvard Square holds centuries of the city’s story, if you know how to read it.

by Olivia Farrar

Giant cartoonish elephant sculpture of Dr. Suess character Horton

The Places You’ll Go

Art, science, sports—and fanciful holiday lights—in the Connecticut River Valley 

by Nell Porter-Brown

Exterior view of the synagogue

America’s Oldest Synagogue

Newport R.I.’s colonial era and thriving Jewish community 

by Nell Porter-Brown

Aerial view of historic downtown New Bedford buildings

New Bedford

Exploring the coastal fishing hub’s history, architecture, parks, and arts scene

by Nell Porter-Brown

Photograph of the world's first net-zero Victorian passive house

A Net-Zero-Energy Victorian Home Makes History

HBS alumna Betsy Harper develops the first net-zero-energy, Victorian “passive house” in the world.  

by Kristina DeMichele

Wide view of formal gardens with a historic mansion in the background

Highfield Hall & Gardens, on Cape Cod

The renewed community life of a grand Cape Cod estate

by Nell Porter-Brown

The main atrium in Harvard's new Science and Engineering Complex

LEED Platinum and ILFI recognition for Science and Engineering Complex

Harvard leveraged construction of its new Science and Engineering Complex to remove harmful chemicals from building-materials supply chains.

by Jonathan Shaw

Proposed massing and configuration of new buildings on Harvard's enterprise research campus

Allston Research Campus Takes Form

Tishman Speyer details the first phase of the “enterprise research campus”—and points to a doubling of the project’s ultimate size.

by Jonathan Shaw

Solomon Gate in an open position.

An innovative gate for Harvard Yard

At Houghton and Lamont libraries, a creative new entry into the Yard

by Jacob Sweet

Stephen Gray stands on city sidewalk with street car passing by on right

Stephen Gray of Harvard Design School profiled by Jacob Sweet

Stephen Gray pioneers equitable urban design.

by Jacob Sweet

An aerial view (taken by a drone) of the south side of Harvard’s new science and engineering complex, in a perspective looking northwest toward the stadium

Harvard’s new Science and Engineering Complex

A new center for engineering and applied sciences—finally

by Jonathan Shaw