designLAB architects led the programming and design of the transformation of a former health clinic at 7 Haviland Street into an educational facility that provides office, classrooms, and lounge space for the Berklee College of Music. Three of the Professional Education Division’s are now housed there: Liberal Arts, Music Business/Management, and Music Therapy.

The old entrance and vestibule are captured by a glass storefront to create an interior café seating area that became a new hub for social learning and collaboration. The cafe has also proven to be an extremely popular place for study and campus events. The front door was reoriented off the street towards a new plaza, which acts as the College’s first outdoor reprieve from its busy urban edges. Aligned with the entry, a “main street” thoroughfare extends into the building. On one side, glass-enclosed headquarters for student activity groups ranging from Africana studies to the campus literary magazine invite participation and engagement. At each elevator and stair landing, vibrant breakout lounges afford students and faculty places to stop between classes to share experiences or ideas.  Adorned with bright colors, the unique and hip space has an industrial feel, in step with Berklee’s cutting-edge sensibility.