Product Detail
- Product
- WILLIWAW
- Species
- Alaskan Yellow Cedar
- Finish
- Oil
Harvard American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.)
Allston, MA
Architects: Haworth Tompkins & Thornton Tomasetti
Project Overview
Currently under construction, the new home for the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) at Harvard University represents a new generation of sustainable performing arts facilities. Designed as the David E. and Stacey L. Goel Center for Creativity & Performance, the project showcases the innovative potential of mass timber construction while creating flexible spaces that support artistic collaboration, education, and public engagement.
The building’s design prioritizes reduced embodied carbon, responsible material selection, and long-term environmental performance, with natural wood serving as a defining architectural element throughout the project.
Material Selection & Design Intent
Selected to complement the building’s structural mass timber frame, WILLIWAW Alaskan Yellow Cedar supports the project’s ambitious sustainability objectives while providing a refined, naturally weathered appearance. The FSC®-Certified cladding reinforces the project’s commitment to responsible material sourcing and aligns with its pursuit of Living Building Challenge Core accreditation.
Chosen for its exceptional durability, dimensional stability, and ability to weather uniformly over time, WILLIWAW provides a high-performance exterior solution that complements the theater’s contemporary architecture while contributing to lower embodied carbon. The use of solid wood materials throughout the building strengthens the project’s environmental goals while creating warm, inviting spaces for performers, students, and visitors alike.
Specification & Project Collaboration
RESAWN supported the specification process through product development, custom profiling, and performance validation. A full-scale field mockup was fabricated using the project’s custom profile and dimensions, allowing architects and builders to evaluate installation methods, detailing, constructability, and anticipated weathering before construction advanced.
This collaborative process provided valuable insight into the material’s long-term performance while ensuring the architectural vision could be executed with confidence. The coordinated specification of wood cladding and finishing systems supports both the structural mass timber framework and the building’s long-term durability objectives.
Current Status
Construction is actively progressing as the new performing arts center takes shape. The project continues toward completion as one of the country’s most significant mass timber performing arts facilities.
