Blue Residence
An Affordable Housing Project in Boston
By Yang (Caroline) Cai
Boston Architectural College
Studio 3
SP25
Table of Content Site Analysis
Project Manifesto
Basis of Design
Schematic Design
Structure Inspiration
Hydrology
Circulation
Materials
Flood Mitigation
Visualization
One hundred and fifteen thousand years ago, Boston was covered under the largest ice sheet - Laurentide Ice Sheet.
The melting of the Laurentide Ice Sheet significantly contributed to the geological landscape of the City of Boston as we know today.
When further examining the history of Dorchester Bay, the heart-wrenching history of the prisoners of World War I & II, tell the story of virtue of resilience and hope.
To which, I think architecture is merely a quiet statue, if without life in it. But what kind of life might that be, in such a time when spaces are created by the lifeless materiality that we all consume? After all, it is us humans, who infuse meanings into memories and turn stories into realities.
Blue Residence is an affordable housing project for the low income artist community in Boston’s Dorchester Bay area, which explores the historical elements of geology and wars, to spark a future opportunity that embodies resilience and hope.
Site Analysis Abiotic Environment
Laurentide Ice Sheet Melting Process During the Last Ice Age
City of Boston
Site Tectonics
Pelitic Bedrock, Tectonic Plate
Floodplain Alluvium
Sand and Gravel
Till or Bedrock
Fine Grained Deposit
Project Site
Dorcheseter Bay
Charles River
Hydraulic Conductivity & Corrosion of Concrete
0-6 Average Feet per Day, Moderate Corrosion of Concrete
0-6 Average Feet per Day, High Corrosion of Concrete
7-35 Average Feet per Day, Little to No Corrosion of Concrete
146-214 Average Feet per Day, Little to No Corrosion of Concrete
Project Site
Dorchester Bay
Charles River
Ice Sheet Retrieval Path Glacier River and Lakes
Site Analysis Biotic Environment
Illustration of Dorchester Bay Biotic Environment
Cranberry Bog Tidal Flats Forest Land & Wetlands
Marsh/Bog Open Water
Wooded Marsh Reservoir
Salt Marsh Beach/Dune
Pirme 1 Forest Land
Pirme 2 Forest Land
Pirme 3 Forest Land
Statewide Importance
Local Importance
Project Site
Dorcheseter Bay
Charles River
Tidal Flats
Beach/Dune
Sea Scallop Shellfish Suitable Areas
Quahog
Razor Clam
Soft-Shelled Clam
Surf Clam
American Oyster
Bay Scallop
Blue Mussel
European Oyster
Ocean Quahog
Project Site
Dorchester Bay
Charles River
NeponsetRiver 15min
Soft-Shelled Clam & Razor Clam
Soft-Shelled Clam
Site Analysis Social & Cultural
Local Reported Assault Activities
ASSAULT REPORTED IN 2024
ASSAULT REPORTED IN 2023
SITE
Transportation
Census 2020 TIGER Major Roads
Commuter Rail Stations
Airports
MBTA Bus Routes
Commuter Rail Lines
Ferry Routes
Ferry Route
Project Site
Dorcheseter
Charles River
DORCHESTER
Non-acute Care Hospitals
Farmers Markets
Infrastructure
Non-acute Care Hospitals
Acute Care Hospitals Emergency Department Status
Non-acute Care Hospital
Libraries Buildings
x 2 x 2 x 14 x 6
Acute Care Hospitals Emergency Department Status
Licensed Child Care Programs Police Stations
Library
Licensed Childcare
Local Police Station
State Police Station
Project Site
Dorchester Bay
Charles River
NeponsetRiver 15min
Site Analysis Sea Level Rise & Flooding
Boston Climate Ready Sea Level Rise Scenarios
Flood Vulnerable Neighborhood
Flood Impacted Neighborhood
Project Site
Dorcheseter
(2050s-2100s) SLR Induced Flooding
36” Sea Level
Rise High Tide
36” Sea Level Rise
10pct Annual Flood
36” Sea Level Rise 1pct Annual Flood
50% Likelihood Later-Term (2070s +) SLR Induced Flooding
2.5 inches of local land subsidence) by 2070. This does not represent the worst case scenario.
Environmental Justic Populations
Minority
Income
English Isolation
Minority and Income
Minority and English Isolation
Income and English Isolation
Minority, Income and English Isolation
Project Site
Dorchester Bay
Charles River
Proposed Project Characters Project Manifesto
When looking into the project site’s history, I was overwhelmed by its richness and many stories of the war prisoners at Camp McKay.
To which, I think architecture is merely a quiet statue if without life in it. But what kind of life might that be, in such a time when spaces are created by the lifeless materiality that we all consumed? After all, it’s us humans who infuse meanings into memories and turn stories into realities.
Project Blue Residence is inspired by the life story of a fictional character, Luigi Ferrari, who was a Prison of War during the World War I & II. He battled with mental health issues due to dramatic life changes and found his way back into the society after a prolonged period as a war prisoner. Luigi’s struggle and strength are shared by many people today. Project Blue Residence is home to refugees, the struggling artists, and the low income families. It is a community for healing and growth through the form of art.
Left: one of Luigi’s letters to his loving wife, after he was transferred to Camp McKay.
Basis of Design
Problem Identification & Design Solution
1 4 2 5 Programming Adjacency Matrix Neighborhood Key Plan Activity Grouping Neighbors & Connectivity
3 6 People Grouping Safety Strategy
The basis of design responds to the previous identifies issue. The programming includes affordable housing for the low income artist community, particular who are newcomers. The public spaces are divided into three major functions, a Memorial Gallery to remember the history and celebrate the present; a Employment and training center to provide skills and support for emerging artists. The last is an open park that welcomes everyone to learn about the climate topics and rising sea level.
Massing Models Schematic Design
Preliminary Massing
Schematic Section
Raised Platform
Schematic Lower Level
Schematic Upper Level
Artificial Hill with Accessible Cave
Built on Raised Rafters
Structure Inspirations
Self Watering Planter & Back Flow Preventer
The structure system was inspired by “self watering planter” and “back flow prevention valve”.
A thickened sea slab is supported by a forest of pile foundations that are around 76’. A raised secondary slab is typical 8” concrete slab.
Space between the two slabs is a water basin to collect flood water.
The arch opening on the seawalls are equipped with mechanical water hatches that allows water collected in the park level to drain into the water basin.
5 Pack Self Watering Planters-6 inch. (n.d.). Jofamy. https://jofamy.com/products/5-pack-self-watering-planters-6-inch
Proposed Structure
Domed Arch
Seawalls
Slabs
Pile Foundation
Square One Insurance Services. (2024, July 23). Getting to know backwater valves. Affordable Home and Car Insurance. https://www.squareone.ca/resource-centres/getting-to-know-your-home/backwater-valve
High Tide Flood
Hydrology Plan Upper Level
Proposed Contour
Water Flow Direction
Water Flow on Dome Structure
Roof Drain
Scupper Drain
Catch Basin
Roof Trench Drain
Trench Drain at Grade
Scale1” =120’
1 Road & Side Walk
Parking & Accessible Curb Dome
Paths of Circulation
Primary Vehicle Access
Access to Parking
Pedestrian Access
1
Scale1” =120’
1 2 3 4
Skateboarding Park
2 Water Retention Pond
Retention Pond
Paths of Circulation
Primary Vehicle Access
Access to Parking
Pedestrian Access
Healing Space
Scale1” =120’
2 Residential Block
Residential Unit
Materials Lower Level
Illustration of Materials
Concrete
Underwater
Durability
Versatility
Strength
Sustainability
ADA Friendly
Scale1” =120’
Porous
Concrete
Drainage
Filtration
Versatility
Sustainability
ADA Friendly
Eelgrass
Salt Tolerant
Submerged
Marine Habitat
Native Species
Purslane
Salt Tolerant
Native Species
Adaptability
Edible
3 4
Interlocking
Pavement
Permeability
Low Maintenance
ADA Friendly
Sustainability
Ease of Repair
Aesthetics
5
Granite
Built-in Planter
Durability
Versatility
Strength
Sustainability
Longevity
Materials Upper Level
Illustration of Materials
Concrete
Sustainability
ADA Friendly
Terracotta Shingles
Sustainability
Energy
Succulent
Salt Tolerant
Native Species
Adaptability
Low Maintenance Variety
Aesthetics
Toxin Removal
Drought Resistant
3
Succulent
Salt Tolerant
Native Species
Adaptability
Low Maintenance
Variety
Aesthetics
Toxin Removal
Drought Resistant
4
Interlocking Pavement
Permeability
Low Maintenance
ADA Friendly
Sustainability
Ease of Repair
Aesthetics
5
Granite
Built-in Planter
Durability
Versatility
Strength
Sustainability
Longevity
Block I Block II
ontario.ca. “Sustainable Growth: Ontario’s Forest Sector Strategy,” n.d. https://www.ontario.ca/page/ sustainable-growth-ontarios-forest-sector-strategy.
Fiber Cement Siding
- 1/2” Gypsum Board - Vapor Barrier
- 2”x6” Lumber Framing @ 16” O.C., c/w
Fiber Glass Insulation - 1/2” Sheathing Board - Air Barrier
- 2” Rigid Insulation
- 1-1/2” Metal Furring Channel
- 1/2” Fiber Cement Board w Patterns
Block III
Block IV
Block V
Commercial Units
1
2 Camp McKay Memorial Museum & Community Art Gallery
- Permanent display of Camp McKay historical images
- Open space for community events and temporary art exhibition
Refugee Welcome Center & Community Employment Service
- Resources center for newcomers
- Skills training services
1 2
Section North-Shouth
Illustration of Flood Mitigation
In a heavy rain fall condition, water will run off from the dome structure and be collected in the water pond at the lower level.
Then the water will continue to overflow into the water basin, where eelgrass farm is located.
When water in the water basin is full, it will rise up through the openings in the skateboarding park, to provide visual cue for people to exit the area and move the higher ground.
In a severe flooding scenario, the sea water will first flood into the water basin, and continue to rise through the skateboarding parking openings providing early warning cues.
Scale1” =96’
Water Pond
Water Basin
Eelgrass Farm
Water Pond 2
Section West-East
Illustration of Flood Mitigation
In a heavy rain fall condition, water will run off from the dome structure and be collected in the water pond at the lower level.
Then the water will continue to overflow into the water basin, where eelgrass farm is located.
When water in the water basin is full, it will rise up through the openings in the skateboarding park, to provide visual cue for people to exit the area and move the higher ground.
In a severe flooding scenario, the sea water will first flood into the water basin, and continue to rise through the skateboarding parking openings providing early warning cues.
Water Pond
Flood Early Warning
Eelgrass Farm
Water Pond
Sea Level Rise Scenarios Sections
Expected Near Term (2030s-2050s) 9” SLR
9”
Expected Mid Term (2050s-2100s) 21” SLR
50% Likelihood Later Term (2070s +) 40” SLR
40” SLR High Tide
40” SLR Base Flood Elevation
Sea Level Rise - (2070s+) Extreme Scenario
40” SLR Mean Sea Level Top of Residential FF
Top of Sea Wall Mean Sea Level NAVD88
of Sea Slab
*BPDA Recommendation
Sea Level Rise Scenario
SLR Mean Sea Level
SLR High Tide
SLR Base Flood Elevation
SLR Mean Sea Level
SLR High Tide
SLR Base Flood Elevation 40” SLR Base Flood Elevation
SLR Mean Sea Level
SLR High Tide
SLR Mean Sea Level
SLR High Tide
SLR Base Flood Elevation
Sea Level Rise Scenarios Plans
Sea Level Rise Scenarios Legend
High Tide Flood
10pct Annual Flood
1pct Annual Flood
ADA Standards
Rendering Seating & Arches
Rendering Children’s Playground
Rendering Skateboarding Park
Rendering View from Parking
Rendering View From Water 2100s
