David M. Owens

massing and fenestration study while design principal at tsoi/kobus & associates

The study looked at the feasibility of, and specific design for the placement of a new façade along the west elevation of an existing building, the O'Neal Library. The library sits at the edge of a steep slope along the east side of Boston College's Middle Campus. The grade change from the west building wall to the east is over three stories in height. Through the center of the building is a staircase that leads down to the Lower Campus. 

The goal of the design was to show a cost-effective way of providing a stylistic transition from the Gothic Middle Campus to the more modern Lower Campus. It was a very delicate situation, where the change from Gothic to Modern needed to be carefully considered.

Three schemes were provided, ranging from high Gothic to the most simplified Gothic, and costs for each were developed. Structural issues and program considerations were also studied and presented as part of the solution.

work done while design principal at tsoi/kobus & associates

video provided by boston college

work done while design principal at tsoi/kobus & associates

Working with Bowling Green State University and in association with Perkins Eastman, Boston, Design Memory is acting as the designer for the University’s Colleg of Business Administration. Work includes a concept design and initial schematic plan only.  The project consists of 77,500 GSF on three levels and includes spaces that support classroom teaching, company incubation space, a business trading room and communication and innovation labs. It also includes faculty offices, student support spaces and a central atrium and campus forum. Building materials currently under investigation include glass curtain wall, metal panel, yellow limestone, brick and precast concrete. A portion of the project calls for the renovation of Hanna Hall, one of the University’s original Traditions Buildings, on campus. The remaining project area consists a modern addition overlooking a new campus forecourt. With its location adjacent to a new and important campus entry, the new College of Business Administration will have a strong public presence while still maintaining close connections to the heart of the original University Campus.

massing and fenestration study while design principal at tsoi/kobus&associates

building information

area: 400,000 square feet

location: needham, massachusetts

completed: december 2001

Led the transformation of one of suburban Boston’s earliest industrial parks, four structures linked by pedestrian bridges, design preserves state-owned park land, project delivered just 16 months after construction start.

Boston Properties • developer 

The project site is situated along the east edge of route 128 in Needham, Massachusetts. The complex consists of four distinct buildings, linked by bridges and an entry pavilion. Tucked into the northwest corner of the site, against the steep grades along the highway, is a 1600 car garage.

There are three major components to the design. The neighborhood side, along Kendrick Street is the public face of the project. Immediately south of that is the campus courtyard. This is the central gathering space for all buildings and campus pavilion. Automobile access runs through the central courtyard, leading to the garage as a final destination point. To the south of the complex is cutler pond and its associated parkland. At 700-acres, it contains the largest remaining free water marsh on the middle Charles River. Parts of its major trail run directly through the project, leading to and from the marsh via boardwalks. 

planning work while design principal at tsoi/kobus&associates

work done while design principal at tsoi/kobus & associates