The Fogg begins to rise
Not far from the Harvard campus in Somerville is a nondescript, multistory structure, outfitted with security and some serious temperature controls. The building is the temporary home of the staff and the collections of the Harvard Art Museums (HAM) while their building at 32 Quincy St. in Cambridge undergoes a major facelift. Originally, the Somerville building was built to house floor-to-ceiling computer servers. Its conversion to a storage facility and administrative offices was seamless once it was carefully retrofitted with climate controls for its new, precious, non-breathing tenants. In 2008 and 2009, HAM staff transitioned to the space over the course of several months, painstakingly preparing, packing, and moving the collection. The design of the office space is sleek. Lots of windows ensure there is plenty of light in open-area workspaces, giving it a hip, start-up feel. It is a new formation for the HAM staff, who find themselves under one roof instead of...