255 Main Street is a 70-unit housing development located in Windsor Locks, CT. The first of two phases, this building is U-shaped and incorporates a public courtyard and retail space on the ground floor. One-, two-, and three-bedroom units are spread throughout the four floors of the building, which brings back Windsor Locks’ once vibrant Main Street corridor.
The façade incorporates a series of brown fiber cement panels and reveals, alternating in height across window bays. White fiber cement panels scattered throughout levels and a high-pressure laminate wood panel on the top floor break up the monotony of the repetitive pattern. Black metal coping with a poly-ash trim divides the building horizontally, designed to mimic the train tracks of the nearby Amtrak line.
Downtown, Windsor Locks, CT
This six-story, 47-unit, affordable housing development is located in the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston, MA, providing a mix of studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units. The ground floor contains tenant amenities (gym, shared laundry) as well as 18 parking spaces and more than 50 bike parking spots, reserved for tenants and visitors. The top floor contains another amenity space, comprised of a shared kitchen and a roof deck with views to the city.
Rendering Credit: RODE Architects
Dorchester, Boston, MA
Overall Floor Plan
Three Bedroom Unit
Accessible Studio Unit
MAAB-Compliant
SOMERVILLE LAB DEVELOPMENT
Food/Beverage Test Fit, Feasibility Study
The scope of this project was the feasibility study and test fit of an amenity space for a lab development in a primarily industrial neighborhood of Somerville, MA. A site analysis was conducted to determine adequate public and tenant amenity spaces for a confidential lab client; programs of interest were fitness, food and beverage, conferencing, and seasonal markets. These programs were test fitted on two levels of the lab building and neighboring buildings also owned by the client to determine appropriate locations and program synergies. The ideal amenity scheme would include at least one public-facing amenity, intended to activate the space on weekends, and potentially during different seasons.
Image Credit: Google Images
Brickbottom/Inner Belt, Somerville, MA
PROSPECTSTREET
HAMPSHIRESTREET
WEBSTER AVE
INMAN SQUARE WARD TWO
DONNELLY FIELD
A FITCHBURG LINE
LEGEND
LOCAL RESTAURANTS & CAFES
LOCAL & NATIONAL FAST FOOD CHAINS
LOCAL BARS & BREWERIES
ARTS, CULTURE, & THEATER
MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT
BIG BOX RETAIL & GROCERY, MARKETS
HEALTH, BEAUTY, & WELLNESS
PUBLIC & PRIVATE FITNESS SPACES
MCGRATHHIGHWAY/MAROUTE28
OPTION 1: INTERNAL TENANT AMENITIES
OPTION 2: LOCAL F&B FOCUSED
OPTION 3: GROCER MARKET EXPERIENCE
GROCER/MARKET/ DELI FULL SERVICE RESTAURANT
OPTION 4: SUPPORTING LOCAL ARTS
ARTISTS’ STUDIOS
WINTER MARKET
MISSING
130 GREENWOOD STREET
3B+ PRODUCT TYPE
MIDDLE MODULAR
Urban Housing, Infill Development
The City of Boston is experiencing a housing crisis and as a result, housing prices have risen to some of the highest in the nation. The city’s population is expected to grow steadily and the demand for housing is not being met by the current construction pipeline.
This modular housing study, based on a light wood framing approach used by Reframe Systems in Andover, MA, aims to deliver housing quicker than typical construction methods. Offsite construction is used in a “Microfactory”, where framing is completed by robotic technology. Robotic technology not only shortens the time required to deliver units but also reduces the footprint of the factory required to produce modules.
This project, currently in progress, will culminate in the design of a net-zero modular scattered-site proposal for infill parcels in Boston’s Dorchester, Roxbury, and Mattapan neighborhoods.
Boston, MA
MODULE
METAL FRAME CEILING
SITE 1
Small site, no neighbors
SITE 2
Small site, triple decker neighbors
SITE 3
Small site, triple decker neighbors
Small site, triple decker neighbors
Medium site, no neighbors
Medium site, triple
Medium
Medium site, triple
Large
Large
Large
SITE 6
decker neighbors
SITE 7
site, triple decker neighbors
SITE 11
site, triple decker and multifamily neighbors
SITE 10
site, triple decker neighbors
SITE 8
decker neighbors
SITE 4
SITE 9
Large site, triple decker and multifamily neighbors
SITE 12
site, triple decker neighbors
SITE 5
TWO BEDROOM
2 BED/2 BATH
890 SF WITH 70 SF FRONT PATIO
THREE BEDR
3 BED/2 BATH
1015 SF WITH
3 BED/2 BATH
1070 SF WITH 70 SF FRONT AND BACK PATIO
THREE BEDROOM PLUS
THEPERFORMANCE OF MEMORY
Adaptive Reuse, Cultural, Technical
The Strand Theatre is a vaudeville theatre with a deep history as the host for several publications, a safe space for the community, and an iconic city landmark. This adaptive reuse project adds thoughtful extensions to the building, incorporating the ideals of the history, memory, and nostalgia of what the theatre once was. A museum containing archives of the building’s icons, performers, and publications sits on the North parking lot, and a rotating restaurant concept with cultural cuisines, intending to be a nostalgic ode to the population of Uphams Corner sits on the South parking lot. What bridges the two, figuratively and literally, is memory, symbolized as a catwalk that circumscribes the 1,000+ capacity theatre
This project was done in collaboration with Malav Mehta.
Uphams Corner, Boston, MA
Bridge Level: Intersection of Programs
SOFFIT BRICK MOULDING
STEEL LINTEL
WINDOW
FLASHING AND CAULKING
BRICK SILL
INSULATION BOARD
WALL TIES STRUCTURAL BRICK
WALL PLATE
AIR SPACE
DRAIN PIPE 24” FOOTING
INTERIOR GLAZING UNIT
STEEL STAIRS WITH RUBBER TREADS
WOOD COLUMN WOOD BEAM WALL TIES
SCREENPRINTED SOLERA WALL 5/8” WOOD FLOOR
FLOOR JOIST
DRAIN PIPE 24” FOOTING
2” X 10”
BOOK BAZAAR
Temporary Installation, Civic, Cultural
Public outdoor space became more important than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indoor public amenities saw steep declines in attendance due to social distancing measures; flexibility between indoor and outdoor spaces became popular adaptations to programs typically hosted indoors. This pavilion, located in the heart of Chinatown, and just steps away from the iconic Chinatown gate, is a temporary installation meant to house a library and a farmers market, two crucial public programs to enhance the community of Chinatown. Walls supporting the intricate roofing structure have shelves for a children’s library and stalls for fresh produce. Large, circular seating modules are scattered throughout the site to promote an interaction between the two programs and add public infrastructure to a vibrant public park in Chinatown.
Chinatown, Boston, MA
SCAFFOLDING GREENWAY
Boston’s Seaport has undergone immense construction in the past few decades, and projected development shows plans to build millions of square feet of office, residential, lab, and entertainment spaces in the area. Construction is one of the largest contributors to the global waste stream; the EPA estimates more than 600 million tons of construction and demolition waste are generated yearly. This urban park proposal utilizes waste construction material to incorporate an elevated greenway embedded within a traditional scaffolding system. The scaffolding contains space for planters to grow trees while buildings are under construction. Upon completion of the 13-acre master plan of the Seaport, the mature trees are to be relocated to the ground level, where greenery can reclaim sidewalk space.
Seaport District, Boston, MA
NEIGHBORHOOD TREE CANOPY COVERAGE
LEGEND
Under 11.8%
Under 22.5%
Under 25.8%
Under 35.6%
Under 44.7%
A. Nightlife bars, nightclubs, social activities
B. Entertainment bowling alley, movie theater
C. Culture museums, cultural organizations
D. Transportation ferry terminal, cruise ship dock
E. Hospitality hotels, tourism
F. Live Music & Performance concert venue, outdoor plaza
G. Food & Drink restaurants, bars, fast food
H. Office Space warehouse space, distribution centers
A. Nightlife bars, nightclubs, social activities
B. Entertainment bowling alley, movie theater
C. Culture museums, cultural organizations
D. Transportation ferry terminal, cruise ship dock
E. Hospitality hotels, tourism
F. Live Music & Performance concert venue, outdoor plaza
G. Food & Drink restaurants, bars, fast food
H. Office Space warehouse space, distribution centers
I. Design District artists’ studios, architecture offices
J. Regional Transit MBTA stops to Downtown, South Boston
K. Residential & Lifestyle condominium complex, public plaza
L. Connection to South Boston point of entry to the Loop from the south
M. Art and Warehouse District artists‘ spaces and industrial facilities
N. Conference Space convention center, congregation space
O. Food & Drink restaurants, bars, fast food
P. Entertainment table tennis, social activities
Q. Family Activities children’s museum, outdoor vendors
R. Office Space warehouse office space
Elevation: 0’
Elevation: +10’
Urban Context fort point, seaport district
Summer and Winter Sun directly and indirectly hits parts of the park, allowing plants to grow at each level of the module
Materiality teakwood planters, 14” x 28” wide flange steel i-beams
Proximity to Water humidity facilitates growth, proximity to water provides breezy conditions for boardwalk
Plants Growing in Shade and Low Sunlight Conditions dwarf blue
Plants Growing in Direct Sunlight tilia americana
Noise combating
spruce, japanese pieris shrubs
“duros”, tilia cordata
Carbon Sequestration the biggest benefit of urban forestry
Young mature trees level when
and CO2 Emission Absorption combating the seaport district’s heavy traffic inflow
Seaport District Construction construction utilizes scaffolding structure
Young Trees Planted trees replanted at ground when scaffolds removed
BSA HOBSON AWARD Professional
Commission, Fabrication
The Boston Society for Architecture (BSA), one of the largest chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), hosts a yearly awards program that honors excellence in design in three categories: Small Firms, Built Design, and Unbuilt Design. The BSA has a longstanding tradition of partnering with local artists to design and fabricate the trophies for the Awards Gala. The 2023 Hobson Award Trophies were designed and built by Northeastern’s College of Arts, Media, and Design (CAMD) Makerspace team, who used the Mobius Strip as an inspiration. Wood bending, CNC milling, and laser cutting technologies were incorporated to create twelve unique trophies made out of cherry wood.
This project was done in collaboration with Patrick Kana, Tanner Boucher, Samir Freiha, and Zeynep Gul. All photos are courtesy of Patrick Kana and CAMD.
