Harvard University, Graduate School of Design
A 15-year strategic plan for the expansion of the Harvard Graduate School of Design re-imagined its role as a leader in design research and education.
![perspective section of the Harvard GSD](https://www.aro.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Harvard-GSD_05-1410x793.jpg)
The project encompassed three focus areas: long-term visioning, programming and development strategy; short term expansion planning; and, the reinvention of the Loeb Library as a cross-disciplinary learning and research center. The overarching goal was to respond to new scales, technologies, and design thinking in the 21st century.
![five main programming uses for the Harvard GSD](https://www.aro.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/GSD-new-circles_ALT-982x222.jpg)
![circle diagram of spatial use over a day at the Harvard GSD](https://www.aro.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Harvard-GSD_02-655x368.jpg)
We worked closely with the school’s administration, staff, faculty and students to articulate a forward-looking mission statement for the school’s long-term expansion. With support from Harvard University Planning, we evaluated ten potential development sites before creating concept drawings and overseeing cost estimating for the selected site.
As a follow up to their 5-year and 15-year strategic planning studies, the GSD commissioned ARO to rethink and reinvent Loeb Library, a 25,000+ SF preeminent design resource library located at the center of Gund Hall.
![flexible plan studies of the Loeb library](https://www.aro.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/1113_Loeb-Info-Commons-new.gif)