Cantabrigians Rail Against Knafel Center

Concerned Cantabrigians gathered last night in the Gund Hall auditorium to meet the architect hired by the University to design the Knafel Center for Government and International Studies on its property north of 1737 Kirkland St.

"This room tells people something about why we are afraid of what architects might do," said a neighborhood resident referring to Gund Hall's white, boxshaped auditorium. "We're afraid that you'll make more buildings like this that we don't like."

Kenneth A. Shepsle, professor of government and chair of the government department, asked audience members to restrain their cynicism.

"We share your values," Shepsle said, adding that the purpose of the meeting was to hear community concerns.

Speakers questioned the necessity of using the land behind Gund Hall, saying Harvard could seek other, larger areas for expansion.

City Councillor Kathleen L. Born pointed out Cambridge is the sixth densest city in the nation, and has less open space than even New York City.

"I don't think this is an issue of this community against Harvard," Born said. She said residents' priority was to preserve the small area of open space, not to stop Harvard from expanding.

Other audience members said the Cambridge Public Library, also located on Kirkland Street, faces similar expansion problems and is looking for a remote piece of land for expansion.

"You can't take more space at the expense of your neighbors," Born said.

Henry N. Cobb '47, whose firm, Pei Cobb Freedand Partners, agreed to take on the project; andLaurie Olin, former chair of Landscapearchitecture at the Harvard Graduate School ofDesign, whose Philadelphia firm was recentlyengaged to consult on the Knafel Center, werepresent at the meeting.

"The history of this project has alreadydeveloped an intense anxiety which manifestsitself in the belief that nothing should happenhere," Cobb said. "I cannot start from thatconviction."

He told community members to expect a proposalin the early fall and invited them to contributeideas to the planning process.

"I need to know more about the values thatunderlie the attachment you have to this place,"Cobb said

Henry N. Cobb '47, whose firm, Pei Cobb Freedand Partners, agreed to take on the project; andLaurie Olin, former chair of Landscapearchitecture at the Harvard Graduate School ofDesign, whose Philadelphia firm was recentlyengaged to consult on the Knafel Center, werepresent at the meeting.

"The history of this project has alreadydeveloped an intense anxiety which manifestsitself in the belief that nothing should happenhere," Cobb said. "I cannot start from thatconviction."

He told community members to expect a proposalin the early fall and invited them to contributeideas to the planning process.

"I need to know more about the values thatunderlie the attachment you have to this place,"Cobb said