Carl and Ruth Shapiro Admissions Center, Brandeis University
Waltham, MA USA
Waltham, MA USA
Sited near the campus entrance, the admissions center is oneof the first buildings that visitors see when entering Brandeis. Firstimpressions were important to our clients when we began talks about design.Several questions became the basis of our work: How might the buildingaccommodate large numbers of people and still feel intimate? How could thearchitecture impress—but not overwhelm—prospective students?
We knew Brandeis well when we started this project: CharlesRose Architects completed the Campus Center—directly acrossfrom the admissions center—in 2002. We linked the admissions buildingclosely to the campus center by creating another sculptural design withlimestone and abundant glass. The ground floor public space needed to be ableto accommodate 100 visitors at a time. To create a more personal and intimatefeel, we designed three separate waiting areas rather than herd people into onelarge area. The waiting areas are warm and light-filled; one has a fireplace; all have generous views of thecampus.
We knew Brandeis well when we started this project: CharlesRose Architects completed the Campus Center—directly acrossfrom the admissions center—in 2002. We linked the admissions buildingclosely to the campus center by creating another sculptural design withlimestone and abundant glass. The ground floor public space needed to be ableto accommodate 100 visitors at a time. To create a more personal and intimatefeel, we designed three separate waiting areas rather than herd people into onelarge area. The waiting areas are warm and light-filled; one has a fireplace; all have generous views of thecampus.
