Boston University Center for Computing & Data Sciences

Boston University chose VERTEX as the Owner’s Project Manager for the tallest building on its prestigious college campus, the Center for Computing and Data Sciences. The 19-story, 345,000 sq. ft., $288 million building will further BU’s mission to be a catalyst for synergy and integration of research and education programs in computing and data sciences across the landscape of academic disciplines. Designed by the Toronto architectural firm KPMB, the building’s iconic form resembles a stack of books with a series of terraced platforms intended for small group interactions and green technologies to advance BU’s Climate Action Plan. The project, constructed by Suffolk Construction, commenced its design phase in early 2018. Construction started 18 months later with the deployment of a test well program to determine both the most appropriate drilling method for its 1500 foot wells and the most reliable drilling company. After a brief delay and subsequent slow down due to early COVID 19 precautions, construction regained momentum in summer 2020. The project achieved occupancy in December 2022.

Delivering Boston’s Largest Fossil-Fuel Free Building. The CDS building incorporates several energy efficient and highly sustainable technologies, all creatively explained on a 10 x 12 interactive sustainability wall that greets visitors at the east entrance. With thirty one, 1500 foot geothermal wells, a highly efficient building envelope, and enhanced HVAC systems, the building is truly a living laboratory for sustainability.

Controlling Multiple Design Phase Risks to Keep on Schedule. With many groundbreaking attributes, it was vital to the overall schedule to organize the design phase in a manner that critical activities were closely managed without overwhelming the design process. VERTEX hosted a 1 and ½ day project kick-off that gathered group consensus on the most critical risks and established ongoing task forces to address those risks in an organized fashion to keep the design on track.

Utilize Design-Assist (DA) to Mitigate Supply Chain Impacts. The cantilevered design, along with extremely low finish tolerances, required an integrated approach to the structure and exterior enclosure. By utilizing DA on those systems coordinated with the highly energy efficient, all-electric mechanical system, the project team was able to keep the project on track without the rework or information delays that could have derailed progress.

Keeping the Project on Budget from Design to GMP. To assure the project stayed on budget throughout design, VERTEX instituted an Iterative Cost Estimating process that featured bi-weekly team meetings to provide immediate feedback on design development. This disciplined process allowed BU to be proactive in shaping the design and making intentional decisions about the project scope. The result was that we negotiated a final GMP that was within 5% of the original target set years earlier.

Delivering a Complex Building on an Expedited Schedule during a Global Pandemic. The project had a daunting schedule, requiring average daily crews of 300+ workers and monthly average draws of $12 million, which became even more so when the pandemic coincided with the start of it. Working collaboratively with Suffolk Construction and KPMB, VERTEX developed several schedule reports to keep all parties aware of progress and areas requiring attention.

Utilizing Effective Project Controls to Minimize Change Orders. The CDS project incurred only 2% of its GMP in Owner change orders (half of which was a scope transfer from the audio/visual budget). VERTEX has developed a disciplined process for managing cost events to assure that all costs are justified and withstand scrutiny in a subsequent audit.

Assuring an Integrated Turnover and Commissioning. The project incorporates state of the art audio-visual educational technology. Additionally, offices and collaboration spaces reflect the open and airy vision for the building. Finally, the ground source heat pumps and outside air recovery systems require an intensive approach to commissioning.