Harvard's plan for a new contemporary building at 90 Mt. Auburn Street was unanimously opposed by the Cambridge Historical Commission last Thursday night, but Harvard officials working on the project are still confident that something will eventually be erected in that location.

After three hours of presentation and discussion that lasted until 1 a.m., the Commission voted to deny the Certificate of Appropriateness necessary to move forward with the project-a strong blow to Harvard, particularly following a fairly positive review by the Harvard Square Advisory Committee February 15.

"We are disappointed," said Scott Levitan, the director of University and commercial real estate for Harvard Planning and Real Estate (HPRE).

An angled wire mesh and glass facade is the defining feature-and point of contention-of the structure, designed by Austrian architect Hans Hollein, dean of the Vienna Academy of Arts and a recipient of the prestigious Pritzker Prize for architecture. His designs are known for fitting into the aesthetic and historical settings of a city, but at the same time, are considered fairly radical.

Hollein has previously designed only two buildings in the U.S.

"We knew that the design was provocative and that it would generate a lot of dialogue," Levitan said.

Though University officials were disappointed by the decision, they said it did not come as a complete surprise.

"Harvard had been aware of concerns by the director of the Commission and a number of residents," said Mary H. Power, Harvard's senior director of community relations.