Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex

Harvard University Science and Engineering Complex

Harvard University and Turner Construction of Boston contracted with JDC Demolition to assist in the construction of the new Science and Engineering Complex on Harvard’s Allston, Massachusetts Campus.  The original construction of the building was completed up to street level from the years 2007 to 2010 and was going to be home to Harvard’s Stem Cell Institute when construction halted in 2010.  With a repurpose and re-design of the building, JDC demolition was contracted to remove over 1,000 tons of steel and 10,000 tons of concrete for the installation of new elevator and stair cores.  Work included removal of the temporary waterproofing membrane that was installed as temporary protection in 2010, removal of elevator shaft walls, removal of stair/elevator penthouses, removal of stairwells, and removal of structure steel to create an open floor plan to the new structure.  Challenges included design, engineering, and installation of shoring to support the numerous structural members that required modification with the new steel and concrete design.  Other major challenges included collection and treatment of rainwater after removal of the temporary roof structure at street level.