Building 54 is a 128,000 square-foot, 21-story high-rise situated in McDermott Court on the MIT campus. Designed by I. M. Pei and completed in 1963, the building primarily houses the MIT Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences Department (EAPS). The building features two grade-level lobbies. The east lobby serves the main elevators and stair tower, and a west lobby provides access to McDermott Lecture Hall. Additionally, an exterior plaza spans the space between them over a below-grade basement containing mechanical and electrical spaces, laboratories, storage areas, and pedestrian tunnels connecting to Buildings 18 and 56. Upper floors house a mix of laboratories, offices, classrooms, and support spaces, with mechanical and electrical rooms at the upper levels and a roof containing former research infrastructure.
MIT undertook a prioritized Capital Renewal effort to address long-deferred infrastructure needs and support the building’s continued use. The project focused on arresting water intrusion through the building envelope, including replacement of the roof system, improvements to exterior wall and window performance, and preservation of the building’s architectural character. Electrical systems were renewed to provide safe, reliable, and resilient service, including upgrades to the aged basement and penthouse substations and main building risers and feeders. Mechanical systems and controls were evaluated and improved to enhance occupant comfort, extend system service life, and resolve issues such as stairwell ponding and freezing. The project also addressed regulatory compliance by identifying and implementing strategies to meet accessibility and building code requirements triggered by the renewal work.
Location: Cambridge, MA
Prime Consultant: Beyer Blinder Belle
Expertise
