WALLS
Wyss Institute at
210 Brookline
Weaving Sound &
Science in Historic Fenway
Project Details
Location: Boston, MA
Architect: SmithGroup
Rep: SL Group
Installer: New England Finish Systems
Rep Group: Nolan Group
Systems Used:
SoftFold®,
Softscreen® Cora,
Vapor® Cora
and VaporSoft® Cora
A DIALOGUE: HISTORY MEETS THE FUTURE OF DISCOVERY
In the heart of Boston’s historic Fenway, a new landmark rises: 201 Brookline Avenue. More than just a building; it’s a dialogue between past and future. Inside, the pioneering Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering at Harvard University needed an environment as innovative as their research. Their design intent? An atmosphere purpose-built for discovery, seamlessly blending aesthetics with critical acoustic control.
“CORA” – A UNIFIED
LANGUAGE OF DESIGN
The key to this atmosphere? A single, elegant geometric pattern named “Cora.” Arktura wove this motif through diverse spaces and materials. Illuminating the ceiling with VaporSoft® Cora panels, then cascading down as a monumental SoftScreen® Cora wall. Further into the design, providing durable elegance in Vapor® Cora wall panels within state-of-the-art labs. Finally, the playfully twisting modules of SoftFold® acoustic baffles in collaborative breakrooms.
THE CENTERPIECE:
A TWO-STORY ACOUSTIC CASCADE
The most breathtaking expression of “Cora” is a signature two-story acoustic partition. It begins as an illuminated VaporSoft® Cora ceiling on the top floor, then flows vertically down a central staircase, transforming into a dynamic SoftScreen® Cora wall. This isn’t just a design feature; it’s the building’s visual and acoustic artery, connecting floors and fostering a sense of unified space.
THE GRAND CHALLENGE: ENGINEERING SOFTNESS INTO STRENGTH
But how do you take an inherently soft, flexible acoustic material like Soft Sound® and sculpt it into a massive, taut, visually solid two-story screen? This was the monumental technical challenge. The design demanded perfection – a seamless, rigid appearance from a pliable material, all while delivering superior acoustic performance.
THE SOLUTION: MASTERFUL COLLABORATION, ENGINEERED PRECISION
Our Solutions Studio® joined forces with partner structural engineers. Drawing on experience with tensioned acoustic systems, we meticulously planned, prototyped, and refined. The result? A robust, hidden framework holding the SoftScreen® Cora in flawless tension, realizing the ambitious design with expert execution.
AN ECOSYSTEM FOR INNOVATION: WHERE DESIGN FUELS DISCOVERY
The Wyss Institute now boasts an interior that truly mirrors the pioneering spirit of its inhabitants. The cohesive “Cora” design and advanced acoustic control forge an environment that’s not just visually stunning but perfectly optimized for the intense focus and creative collaboration that scientific breakthroughs demand.
