Boston Cultural Center

Located in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, the site was teeming with diversity. The Cultural Center aimed to cater to the population while having an ecological impact.

The center hosts an Imax Theater, Activated outdoor spaces, an underground materials research laboratory, as well two exhibition spaces.

The Urban studio began with extensive research into the socio-economic, ecological, and intrinsic aspects of the site. Investigations into the cultural history as well as climactic disruptions provided a picture into the needs of both the population as well as the environment.

Followed by careful analysis of two precedents: The Meca Cultural Center, and the GUZ building. Through the precedents, the qualities that make up cultural centers as well as ecological research laboratories were found.

The synthesis of previous studies resulted in the creation of a cultural center that benefited the community as well as the city. The exterior walls were generated using a grasshopper code and create a shell that shelters the building from the exterior, both in metaphor and thermally. This is contrasted by an interior that houses a green space and transparancy throughout.

The project is divided into three separate campuses: Imax, Public Exhibition, and Private (offices and laboratory). Additional qualities include an outdoor performance stage, a sky-bridge, and a private embedded courtyard for the ressearchers and staff.