About the design
Create an architecturally distinctive public space or landscape that will provide an exciting new identity for this arts block—one that will be memorable, expressive, and position the BCA as an arts destination.
The Softscape proposal creates an environment that is welcoming and energetic by appealing to the senses and memories of those who encounter the numerous public spaces found on the BCA block. The carefully crafted interventions give a new face to the BCA block, transforming it into a dynamic gathering place that ushers the community inside and exhibits the arts outside.
Build the brand of the BCA by expressing what the BCA means: innovative, collaborative, welcoming and inclusive.
Softscape presents spaces that are flexible and communal in nature; always with the visual and performance arts as their motivation. The design is straightforward and forward-looking. These characteristics (among others) support the stated goals of the organization and advance the BCA brand.
Build connections across the South End neighborhood to Boston’s socially, ethnically, and economically diverse urban communities. The redesigned out door spaces of the BCA will be a magnet for people from all walks of life.
The primary urban space embraces the community and respects its history with a nod to the memory of Montgomery Street that once passed through the plaza. Likewise, the extension of the Berkeley Community Garden on the Northeast side of the BCA block makes a direct connection to the neighborhood through the fostering of a public greenway. The ‘gallery walk’ located along the slower paced Warren Avenue offers another amenity to the South End with the display of, and interaction with, works of art developed inside the walls of the BCA.
Provide reorganized public spaces that will accommodate and improve the experience of a wide variety of public activities: everyday uses [sitting and meeting]; seasonal activities [outdoor restaurant dining and holiday tree lighting]; one-of-a kind planned and/or spontaneous special events [parades, celebrations, installations and performances].
Softscape accommodates and strives to improve upon the experience of all the stated activities. One goal is to directly affect and enhance the everyday occurrence of inhabiting the BCA block through the materiality and detailing of the walking surfaces.
One of these surfaces, the wood decking, offers limitless possibilities for planned and/or spontaneous events due to its flexible nature while gracefully concealing many of the service aspects associated with these events such as electrical/data/cable wiring for art installations and performances.
The service zone under the wood surface includes a radiant heat system producing a ‘heated street’ effect to extend the use of outdoor spaces into the colder seasons. The seasonal shift of the landscape elements and the development of the ‘pocket park’ (ideal for the holiday tree lighting) have also been positive design considerations.
Integrate and balance the block! The east end of the block is shiny and new; the west end is more than a century old. We’re looking for ideas that combine the energy of the new with the history of the old into a comprehensible, valued whole.
From the beginning of the design process, the entire block has been addressed as an integrated whole. Building on the the rich and compelling dialog between old and new in Boston, the Softscape proposal disperses innovative, elegantly detailed interventions at the perimeter of the site and within the artist’s courtyard to tie the block together.
The interventions are acutely coordinated with the “newer” end of the block and beautifully juxtaposed with the “older” end of the block.
Make it easy for people to know where they are, and where they’re going. We’re looking for ideas that express the BCA brand, connect people to the organizations that are part of our lively urban campus, help people find where they’re going, and provide opportunities for promotions of our many activities and events.
Once re-defined, the power of the Zelkova, the strength of the conifer, and the symbology of the existing kiosk make finding one’s way extremely simple.
Small information nodes located throughout the site provide opportunities to help pedestrians orient themselves, and to display information regarding BCA activities/events/programs/shows.