Boston Architectural College - Boston, Mass

This course places architecture within its cultural and social contexts. Students develop their own concept and approach through modes of learning, working and thinking associated with academic work and practice. This is an integrative project where students incorporate building systems, materiality and structure as part of the creative work of the studio.

air rights studio

SITE

The development of air rights projects over the Boston Extension of the Turnpike was first authorized by the Massachusetts Legislature in 1963. In mid‐1998, the Mayor appointed a
Strategic Development Study Committee (SDSC) to assist the BRA in studying the
parameters for air rights development over the Turnpike from Chinatown to the Allston
toll plaza. 23 air rights site were identified. The approximately 45,000 square foot site, identified as Parcel 16, is framed by Clarendon, Stanhope, Cahners, and Columbus
Ave. Near 60% of your site is airspace over the Mass Pike which you will construct your
project over, through, around, above, etc

PROGRAM

On Parcel 16 will be a ‘community node’,which will respond as an ‘infrastructure for life.’ Large program will include, gymnasium, swimming pool, indoor jogging track, fitness.equipment and racquetball courts. You will coordinate wet areas with support zones like locker rooms etc. Administrative zones include offices, storage, and childcare program. Public program will be responsible for street activation. These include street lobby, welcome center, and vehicular
circulation.

You will be asked to develop a distinguishing program that will be added to the community
fitness program. This component should leverage your most inventive programming, design thinking, and urban centered skills. This part of your project will be developed through your site analysis, research, and your agendas. This program however will be based on approval with instructor. The basis of approval will be in the strength of your research...data, reasoning, scenarios etc.

INFRASTRUCTURE

We consider bridges and freeways as structural elements that provide a framework for supporting public access and the movement of goods and services. These systems, in the hands of engineers and traffic consultants play a heavy role in the shaping of our city. If Stan Allen describes infrastructure to give ‘direction to future work in the city’;

Where can we find opportunities where we can return infrastructure back into our
discipline?..and then channel those values?

“Infrastructural work recognizes the collective nature of the city and allows for the participation of multiple authors. Infrastructures give direction to future work in the city not by the establishment of rules or codes (top‐ down), but by fixing points of service, access, and structure (bottom‐up). Infrastructure creates a directed field where different architects and designers can contribute, but it sets technical and instrumental limits to their work.Infrastructure itself works strategically, but it encourages tactical improvisation.”

Stan Allen, “Infrastructural Urbanism.” Points+Lines: Diagrams and Projects for the City. New York: Princeton Architectural Press. 1999 p55