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Education

Eric H. Holder Jr. Initiative for Civil and Political Rights at Columbia University

The Eric H. Holder Jr. Initiative for Civil and Political Rights at Columbia University will house scholars, practitioners, artists, staff, students and the wider community within a collaborative environment designed to support deep thinking and shared action. Housed in a historic building adjacent to Columbia’s main campus, the Initiative comprises ground floor event and exhibit spaces, seminar rooms, offices, informal meeting spaces and a contemplative library.

Working with the Holder Initiative and Columbia University, MBB created a concept design that conveys a sense of civic obligation, provides a welcoming sanctuary, and engages the community. The building is intended to be an inclusive and fully accessible gathering place for student groups. Advancing Columbia’s goals for carbon neutrality, the project will be designed to Passive House standards with continuous insulation, airtight construction, triple-glazed and gasketed windows, and filtered, balanced ventilation. A central skylight and a strategically located double-height intermediary space will maximize daylighting.