These concerns immediately became clear at the meeting, as committee members and residents questioned the fundamental nature of the design and the need for Harvard to go to Vienna in looking for an architect.

"There was a fundamental gap of understanding between what we see as contextual, and what they do," said Travis A. McCready, Harvard's director of community relations for Cambridge.

In December, Harvard Square was designated a conservation district, and the Hollein building marks the first test of language in the designation which encourages contextual contemporary design. Levitan said that the language is "amorphous" and that one positive aspect of the project was the opportunity to better define what the designation meant.

"We did have some really amazing conversations," Levitan said. "The design got people to think of issues in Harvard Square that maybe they weren't talking about before."

McCready agrees.

"If there is a silver lining, it is that this project has moved the needle in terms of people understanding what the Conservation District means," he said.

Those in favor of contemporary architecture are quick to point out that the Square is not monolithic, but has evolved over 300 years.