sector focus
higher ed
Saam’s higher education team understands the dynamic landscape and diverse needs of academic institutions. From new buildings to transformative renovations, we are committed to designing spaces that empower academic excellence, foster collaboration, and enhance campus life. We specialize in creating environments that are flexible, adaptable, and sustainable.
We go beyond design, immersing ourselves in the unique culture and mission of each institution, ensuring that our designs reflect your campus community. By listening attentively and understanding the intricacies of your campus, we deliver culturally inclusive spaces that inspire learning, innovation, and belonging.
project types
- Classrooms
- Research facilities
- Student life spaces
- Office and administrative areas
- Campus security enhancements
- Public safety and campus police
- Fitness and athletic centers
services
- Renovations
- New construction
- Building change-of-use
- Space evaluation
- Test fits
- Planning studies
- Programming
- Facility restacks
- Renderings and walkthroughs
- Interior design
- Graphics and wayfinding
- Sustainable design
clients
- Northeastern University
- Harvard University
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- Bridgewater State University
- Dean College
- UMass Amherst
- UMass Boston
- UMass Lowell
- UMass Medical School
selected work
Northeastern University 177 Huntington Avenue, Floors 5 and 6
Saam led the design of the new Hanscom Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) Facility / United States Customs and Border Protection Facility at Hanscom Field. The new building includes independent facilities for both the Massport fire department under FAA regulations and funding, as well as U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These two occupants independently occupy roughly 11,500 gross square feet with shared infrastructure. Read more →
location
Boston, MA
completion
2023
size
13,000 sf total
selected work
MIT B3 Provost Suite Renovation
Located off the Infinite Corridor in MIT’s historic Maclaurin Buildings, Saam transformed an existing suite of smaller offices into a spacious student lounge available to the entire MIT community. The challenge of constructing and designing a fresh space while maintaining existing architectural elements was accomplished. The renovation provides a bright, neutral backdrop, blending this building’s historic context with a subtle contemporary aesthetic. Read more →
location
Cambridge, MA
completion
2024
size
404 sf
selected work
MIT B36 RLE Office Suite Renovation
Saam renovated an office suite on the 7th floor of MIT Building 36 for MIT’s leading multidisciplinary research organization, the Research Lab for Electronics (RLE), which explores groundbreaking analysis of atomic physics, biomedical science, and other complex phenomena. To accommodate the internal needs of the users and their collaborating partners, the new space includes a mix of individual and group work points and a relocated sound lab. Read more →
location
Cambridge, MA
completion
2023
size
3,930 sf
core team
diana nicklaus
FAIA, LEED BD+C, MCPPO
president + ceo
diana ostberg
AIA, LEED AP, NCARB
vice president + coo
ed bourget
AIA, LEED AP, MCPPO
senior principal
kristin tedford
AIA, NCIDQ, NCARB, LEED GA, WELL AP
principal + higher ed sector leader
chin chin yao
AIA, LEED BD+C, NCARB
senior associate
alicia songer
AIA, NCARB, LEED BD+C, FITWEL AMBASSADOR
associate + director of sustainability
nora shull
RA, MCPPO, CPHC, LEED GA
associate
autumn thompson
NCIDQ
director of interior design
lindsay addonizio
NCIDQ
associate + interior designer
meagan manning
interior designer