“We are gathered today for the ritual of the final beam being put into place for the Contemplative Commons, thereby bringing its entire structure into being,” said David Germano, executive director of the Contemplative Sciences Center at a ceremony on the construction site. “I understand such rituals can be traced back to ancient religious practices of placing a tree on top of a new building to acknowledge and appease the land spirits displaced by the construction.”
The U-shaped building, which opens onto the Dell Pond, is designed as a multi-purpose complex dedicated to helping students flourish in all aspects of their lives. The design includes flexible learning studios that may be configured for academic classes, quiet reflection, physical activity or social interaction. The building will primarily house academic activities during the day, and also be available to host extracurricular events, social gatherings and local community engagements on evenings and weekends.
The 57,000-square-foot building, scheduled to open in 2023, is projected to cost $67.1 million.
“I think it is beautiful that a lot of people have worked and donated and supported this,” said Megan Ruby of the Contemplative Sciences Center Compassionate Schools Project, after she signed the beam. “This shows the community coming together and supporting the next generation.”