Contexture Helps Foster Research Opportunities for Northeastern University’s ISEC

Recently this year, Northeastern University opened the doors to its six-story open-air science and research building called the Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering Complex (ISEC). Over the last decade, Northeastern has become an increasingly strong research university and required new facilities to attract and host world-class researchers. The new $225 million facility will expand the university’s research capabilities for its students and staff across a range of fields such as community resilience, cybersecurity, coastal sustainability, and even drug delivery. “One of the things this building will do is provide opportunities, space, for undergraduates to do research,” said Olin Shivers, a Northeastern professor of computer science.

Located on Columbus Avenue in Boston, the building features offices and lab space to accommodate 700 faculty members and graduate students. The new facility also has a conference center with a 280-seat auditorium, staging area, cafe, and room for 200 seated dinner guests. The state-of-the-art facility was designed by the architectural firm Payette with the vision in mind to create a dynamic, open, and collaborative environment. Northeastern also worked with Contexture Shading Solutions to design and install window treatments for the new glass walls surrounding the six-story, sky-lit atrium addition. Contexture worked with Suffolk Construction to install drapes and large, motorized Lutron shades during the project.

ISEC is on track to obtain gold certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) as part of Northeastern’s commitment to sustainability. With the help of Contexture, the facility’s drapes and motorized Lutron shades will help to maximize natural daylight throughout the building, while also minimizing heat gain, reducing energy costs and consumption.

By partnering with Contexture to provide the latest in manual and motorized shading technology, Northeastern University’s new research center will continue to encourage more student collaboration, foster new and innovative research, and help the university’s initiative toward sustainability.