Tufts University Boathouse

Medford, MA
Construction Cost: $1.95 million
Area / Square Feet: 9,000
Occupancy Date: March 2006

Located on the Malden River, the new Tufts University Boathouse will be part of a proposed 7.7-acre riverfront park that reclaims contaminated land once covered in old tires and invasive plant species.

A modern structure that responds to its immediate surroundings, the building employs a butterfly roof and glazed walls to emphasize the primary views of the river to the south and east. The balance of the boathouse?s exterior materials are simple and humble, yet avoid a residential scale.

The building includes two boat bays to accommodate the university?s mix of rowing shells. The longer of the two bays includes a workbench area to allow coaches to make adjustments to oars and other equipment. The boathouse?s upper level features a dramatic multifunction space that overlooks the river. Featuring bamboo floors and maple wainscoting, this room accommodates rowing machines and other training equipment, but can also host meetings, dinners and other functions. Changing rooms feature a hung shelf and hook system, allowing damp clothes to dry quickly and providing a hidden and inexpensive means to indirectly illuminate the space.

Decks to the south and east of this space, as well as the coaches? office, also afford ample river views. A spectacular glazed landing over the building?s entry will relate to future structures planned for the site.