UrbDeZine Boston

Urban Planning + Architecture + Preservation + Design

Aaron Trahan

Innovation District?

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411 D St., South Building, Innovation Dist., rendering by Elkus Manfredi architectsThe BRA last month approved the design for a 197 unit housing project at 411 D Street, which has been lauded as a renewed concept of design excellence to the Seaport Innovation District.

During the time this project was approved, I had the pleasure of being one of two scholars at the AIA Committee on Design Spring Conference hosted in Columbus, IN, with a goal of identifying what defined architectural design excellence. As I have begun to analyze this theme upon returning to Boston, I find myself obsessing over a question from one of the conference speakers, Ed Feiner. [Read more…] about Innovation District?

An Innovation Center for the Innovation District

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Institute of Contemporary Art, South Boston Seaport Waterfront by Cherrylet, FlickrConstruction is expected to begin May 1st on the Boston Innovation Center (BIC), which aims to attract startups to the Innovation District in the South Boston waterfront. Designed by local architects Hacin + Associates, the 12,000 square foot facility is part of the 12 acre Seaport Square development by John Hynes’ Boston Global Investors. [Read more…] about An Innovation Center for the Innovation District

New Balance Hires Local Architect for New World Headquarters

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New Balance headquarters

Massachusetts – New Balance has just released plans for a new world headquarters campus in Brighton, along the Massachusetts Turnpike. The 14 acre site will include at least 4 news buildings designed by local firm Elkus Manfredi Architects, housing program for office space, restaurants, retail, a hotel and a sports complex. [Read more…] about New Balance Hires Local Architect for New World Headquarters

Castle Square Retrofit Nearing Completion

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Castle Square ApartmentsThis past Friday, Bruce Hampton AIA with Elton Hampton Architects presented and discussed the retrofit project at the South End’s Castle Square Apartments. As the principal in charge of the 1960s era renovation project, Hampton focused on the project process, design strategy, retrofit scheduling and collaboration needed to make this the largest retrofit in the country.

[Read more…] about Castle Square Retrofit Nearing Completion

Google Looking to Expand Cambridge Office

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Cambridge Center, Cambridge, MA, by John Phelan, WikipediaBoston – Over the past several weeks, a new pawn has emerged in the competition between Kendall Square and the Innovation District, in attracting technology and pharmaceutical companies. Boston Properties, on behalf of their tenant, Google, recently announced a proposed expansion to the office space that they currently lease at 4&5 Cambridge Center, which set into motion the courtship of Google executives by Boston Mayor Tom Menino, and developer John Hynes. [Read more…] about Google Looking to Expand Cambridge Office

MGM and Gensler Set Sights on Western Massachusetts

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LasVegas MGM grand by Wikipedia, Nadavspi

MGM Resorts International announced last month that Gensler will design their proposed Rolling Hills Resort Casino project in Brimfield, MA. The leading international architecture firm was chosen largely because of their recently completed MGM City Center project in Las Vegas, which they claim to be the largest private sustainable development in the world.

[Read more…] about MGM and Gensler Set Sights on Western Massachusetts

Envisioning a Contemporary Esplanade

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Boston University Sailing Pavilion, by Frank Costantino. Courtesy of The Esplanade Association

As we long for the arrival of warmer weather and longer daylight hours ,we also remember that the Charles River Esplanade will soon be flooded with runners, cyclists, kayakers, rowers, strollers, sunbathers, performers and tourists. Because of these 3 million average annual users, our beloved Esplanade has been left in increasingly deteriorated condition. Earlier this month however, The Esplanade Association (TEA) presented their vision for the future of the park, entitled Esplanade 2020: A Vision for the Future. [Read more…] about Envisioning a Contemporary Esplanade