David Rubenstein Treehouse at Harvard University
The David Rubenstein Treehouse at Harvard University is a conference center and collaboration hub comprising a three‑story building with a mezzanine totaling approximately 60,250 gross square feet. Designed to bring students, faculty, and visitors together, the facility includes meeting and event spaces, a ballroom, catering kitchens, a media studio, retail and bar areas, and an exterior terrace. Its mass timber structure, paired with innovative low‑carbon concrete, supports Harvard’s sustainability goals as part of the Enterprise Research Campus.
Working in collaboration with Studio Gang Architects, Code Red Consultants served as the project’s code consultant, providing expertise in life safety, performance‑based design, and accessibility compliance. Our services included a comprehensive code analysis, ongoing design reviews, life safety and place‑of‑assembly permit plans, and advanced atrium fire modeling to support the design of the atrium smoke control system.
During construction, Code Red Consultants developed and maintained the NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Program and conducted monthly site walks to verify compliance and address construction fire safety challenges. We also provided turnover consulting services in coordination with the Boston Fire Department on behalf of the owner, assisting the project team in successfully passing all required tests. In addition, we performed NFPA 4 Integrated Testing and served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector, commissioning the integrated life safety systems and atrium smoke control system. Through close coordination with the project team, we helped resolve complex code and life safety challenges associated with mass timber construction, egress, and vertical openings, supporting the successful delivery of this distinctive facility.
Location
Boston, MA
Size
55,000 sq ft
Completion
2025
Photography Credit
Jason O’Rear Photography
David Rubenstein Treehouse at Harvard University
The David Rubenstein Treehouse at Harvard University is a conference center and collaboration hub comprising a three‑story building with a mezzanine totaling approximately 60,250 gross square feet. Designed to bring students, faculty, and visitors together, the facility includes meeting and event spaces, a ballroom, catering kitchens, a media studio, retail and bar areas, and an exterior terrace. Its mass timber structure, paired with innovative low‑carbon concrete, supports Harvard’s sustainability goals as part of the Enterprise Research Campus.
Working in collaboration with Studio Gang Architects, Code Red Consultants served as the project’s code consultant, providing expertise in life safety, performance‑based design, and accessibility compliance. Our services included a comprehensive code analysis, ongoing design reviews, life safety and place‑of‑assembly permit plans, and advanced atrium fire modeling to support the design of the atrium smoke control system.
During construction, Code Red Consultants developed and maintained the NFPA 241 Construction Fire Safety Program and conducted monthly site walks to verify compliance and address construction fire safety challenges. We also provided turnover consulting services in coordination with the Boston Fire Department on behalf of the owner, assisting the project team in successfully passing all required tests. In addition, we performed NFPA 4 Integrated Testing and served as the Smoke Control Special Inspector, commissioning the integrated life safety systems and atrium smoke control system. Through close coordination with the project team, we helped resolve complex code and life safety challenges associated with mass timber construction, egress, and vertical openings, supporting the successful delivery of this distinctive facility.