CCDS Featured in the Smithsonian Channel Series “How Did They Build That?”

The October 20th episode featured the 19-story Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences (CCDS), the largest fossil fuel-free building in Boston, Massachusetts.

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In this episode of “How Did They Build That?” program host Jay Ellis takes an exclusive look at Boston University’s Duan Family Center for Computing and Data Sciences. Filmed in June of 2024, the Smithsonian Channel’s production crew traveled in and around the 345,000-square-foot building, conducting interviews and capturing the beauty and complexity of one of America’s most striking architectural projects.

Designed by Toronto-based KPMB Architects, and constructed by Boston-based Suffolk Construction, the tower resembles a complex puzzle rather than a traditional campus building and features a gravity-defying design that transforms the Boston skyline. As the largest fossil fuel-free and carbon-free building in the City, it is the University’s most visible representation of its commitment to net carbon neutrality by 2040.

The project began in 2012 to unify computing and data sciences at BU and create a vertical campus. Remarkably, the building has no gas line connected and instead, utilizes geothermal heating and cooling (otherwise known as ‘ground source heat pumps’) This system deploys 31 boreholes drilled 1,500 feet underneath the earth’s surface to heat and cool the building.

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The building features massive cantilevers supported by robust steel trusses, channeling structural forces effectively. After meticulous planning and construction, the project culminated in January 2023, opening its doors to students. Home to the Faculty of Computing & Data Sciences, the Mathematics & Statistics Department, Computer Science program, BU Spark! and the Rafik B. Hariri Institute for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering, the LEED Platinum award-winning iconic building not only exemplifies cutting-edge design but also integrates sustainable features, such as green roofs and renewable energy systems, marking a significant milestone in modern architecture.

The episode aired on Sunday, October 20, “How Did They Build That?” on Boston University’s Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences, and learn more about the building’s convention-bending design, striking architecture, environmental sensitivity, and more.

Access details on how to watch the Smithsonian Channel and a list of providers here.