Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences
Building in the Boston University Campus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences (CCDS), formerly known as the Boston University Center for Computing & Data Sciences, and often referred to as the "Jenga Tower", is a 19-story, 305 ft (93 m) building located on the campus of Boston University. Designed by KPMB Architects, it was completed on December 8, 2022.[1] It is noted for being the largest net-zero building in Boston, relying on geothermal heating and cooling,[2] while using wind power for all the electricity in the building.[3]
Boston, Massachusetts
02215
| Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences | |
|---|---|
The Center as seen from the BU Bridge in June 2025 | |
 Interactive map of the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences area | |
General information | |
| Location | 665 Commonwealth Ave Boston, Massachusetts 02215 |
| Coordinates | 42°21′00″N 71°06′11″W |
| Groundbreaking | December 5, 2019 |
Completed | December 8, 2022 |
| Cost | $305 million |
| Owner | Boston University |
| Height | |
| Height | 305 ft (93 m) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 19 |
| Floor area | 345,000 square feet (32,052 m2) |
| Design and construction | |
| Architects | Luigi LaRocca Paulo Rocha |
Architecture firm | KPMB Architects |
| Website | |
| Duan Center for Computing and Data Sciences | |
Architecture
The building's stacked blocks have earned it the nickname of the "Jenga Tower".[1] The blocks internally serve as different "academic neighborhoods," and were built with the intention of avoiding the appearance of a typical office building on the inside.[4][5]
There are many whiteboards built into the walls to encourage "collaboration".[4]
Sustainability
The center is a net-zero building, and has a LEED Platinum certification.[5] It uses geothermal heating and cooling, with geothermal wells that extend approximately 1,500 feet (460 m) into the ground.[2]
For electricity, the university purchases wind energy, which they say offsets its emissions in Boston, and will help achieve their 2040 university-wide carbon neutral goal.[3][5]
The building was designed to avoid flooding; it was built 5 feet (1.5 m) above the City of Boston's suggested design guidelines for sea level rise.[4]
History
After the university acquired $100 million in research funding for their Computing & Data Sciences programs, then-President of the university Robert A. Brown announced that the center would be built.[6][7]
Before the center was built, the site was home to a Burger King, and the project was thus referred to internally as "BK".[3]
On December 5, 2019, the university broke ground on the building.[8][9] The site was live streamed throughout the construction period.[10] A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on December 8, 2022, and the building officially opened in January 2023.[11][12]
In 2024, the building was renamed to add "Duan Family" following a donation from the parent of a former BU student.[13]