Architectural plans unveiled for Senate institute named for the late Edward Kennedy

Plans for Kennedy Senate institute unveiled

BOSTON — Architectural plans have been unveiled for the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate, which will sit adjacent to his brother’s presidential library in Boston.

The 44,000-square foot facility is designed by architect Rafael Vinoly and will be built with private and federal money. A centerpiece will be a replica of the Senate chamber where Kennedy served for 47 years until his death of brain cancer in August.

The institute’s president and CEO, Peter Meade, says Kennedy envisioned a facility where visitors, especially students, could learn the history of the Senate and participate in mock debates.

Meade says the institute has so far raised about $50 million in private donations and more than $38 million in federal funds.

The design was unveiled Wednesday. Groundbreaking is set for September.