Boston University's Duan Family Center for Computing and Data Sciences
Boston, Massachusetts
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A Unique Building Design
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Client
Boston University
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Location
Boston, Massachusetts
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Sector
Educational
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Discipline
Wayfinding, Digital Signage, Experiential Graphics
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Architect
KPMB Architects
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Photography
Nick Leheux and Anthony Crisafulli

Known for creating signage that is elegant and minimalist, Entro delivered durable, understated signs—some crafted from wood—that harmonize with the building’s aesthetic. The signage is designed to be both functional and visually unobtrusive, underscoring the building’s architecture without drawing attention away from it.


Spanning 345,000 square feet over 19 stories, the Duan Family Center for Computing & Data Sciences is Boston’s largest sustainable, operational fossil fuel-free building. The Center features a geothermal system that provides renewable energy for heating and cooling, and its elevated ground floor enhances resilience against future climate impacts, including flooding. Additionally, the Center is one of the first buildings on campus to adopt Boston University’s Zero Waste Initiative, aligning with the university’s Climate Action Plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
Lines and Pixels
Elevator lobbies feature prominent floor numbers, with two distinct elevator banks—one clad in black granite and the other in wooden slats, each level ID adapting to the architectural textures and finishes. In addition to the Whitney font, which was chosen for general signage, we used a modern, pixelated font for elevator level indicators, aligning with the Center’s data and computing purpose. Parallel line graphics add a symmetric design element, extending to windows and other surfaces, with a tone-on-tone approach that respects visual harmony. For digital signage, we coordinated the installation of a sustainability screen on the main wall, advising on housing and screen specifications to align with the building’s eco-friendly mission.
Directing visitors within the Center posed a unique challenge due to the building’s offset, stacked design, where each floor has a distinct layout and at the podium levels a series of interconnected feature stairs provide multiple vertical circulation options. With two elevator banks on the ground floor—one leading to all levels and the other to specific podium levels—clear wayfinding was essential. Directory and directional signs on each floor guide users to the correct bank, with essential wayfinding information subtly embedded in existing structural columns.



The Duan Family Center for Computing and Data Sciences has won numerous architectural awards, including an American Architecture Award, New England Architecture Award, AIA Canada Design Award (Honorable Mention), and a Canadian Architect Award of Merit.
Find out more about the Center here and in Azure Magazine.