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1. “Mind the Gap”. We hear this as we enter and exit the subway or other mass transit
systems. This simple phrase reminds us to look down as means to protect us from
having a very bad day.
It is this same concept that I am applying to this site. To look down, to build smaller than
the surrounding buildings, to break away from the rigid block forms, to be expressive of
this location and its unique program.
My original feeling at the site is break away from the current built fabric and place a
green circular building. However with better judgment and the numerous difficulties
found with placing programs into circular buildings, I have dissected the site and
identified unique intended moments that respond to the program, the immediate site
and the greater vicinity.
1a- Site Analysis- response to the region as a whole
2a- Building Fabric- response to site specifically
3a- Site Layout – identifying the site parameters
4a- Program Analysis-how people intend to fill the site
5a- Site Opportunities -unique moments at this site
6a- Design Response – putting it all together
7a- Elevations

2. Site Analysis
-Development boundary between existing mid to low
level residential mix and high rise development
-Mass transit corridors,
-Site
-Green corridors
-Automotive transportation corridors
-Pedestrian routes from site
Colum
bus Ave
.
Huntington Ave .
Dartm
outh
St
.
-The site is located in South Boston which has a relatively low
skyline in comparison to the surrounding neighborhoods to the
North West and proposed developments to the East
-Visually looking from a high rise building this site is located in a
district that offers relief from looking into another high rise building
across the street.
-When entering the site from the south Boston skyline is the
backdrop, it does not make sense to design something that might
try to compete with the skyline with such a small site.
-It makes sense to preserve this low skyline as relief from the
existing hard edged corridor that has been created by the uniform
building heights along this street.
-It makes sense to preserve this low skyline as relief to the greater
Boston area as a whole.

3. Columbus Ave
A- The building fabric immediately adjacent is comprised of
Victorian brick and Brownstone townhouses, tree-lined
streets, brick sidewalks, parks, playgrounds, and community
gardens.
- The building fabric immediately adjacent is comprised of
brick as either well-articulated Victorian brick residential
townhouses or flat Modern brick residential block apartment
housing.
- All the streets are lined with thick trees which help to break
up the monotony of the brick and add color to the street.
B- The most interesting building of this district is the Church
with its tall pointed steeple as the only built visual relief from
the never ending corridor created by all the buildings being
built to the same height.
C-The introduction of metal façade would offer many
opportunities for visual relief due to the flexibility of forms,
finishes, textures, and transparencies option that this
material provides.
BUILT FABRIC

4. - Boston is very pedestrian friendly with green corridors and
great access to public transportation
- This site is very close proximity to the Greenway corridor
just to the north of the site leading into the heart of Boston.
- This site is located in near proximity to the Harriet Tubman
Sq which is actually a triangle plaza made from the
intersection of three different street grids.
- Due to the proximity of the open space to the south of the
site provide by the Harriet Tubman Sq, and the proximity of
the Greenway corridor to the north of the site, it is likely that
pedestrians would cut across the existing site frequently
traveling from open space to open space en route either into
or out of the city.
Huntington Ave .
Dartm
outh
St .
Columbus Ave
-Intersecting grids
-Foot path to city district
Colum
bus Ave
.

5. - An opportunity to do something other than brick!!
- Given the program of the proposed building is a community
music school and a gathering place a loud façade and un-
uniform building form is justified.
- Given that this site is in the heart of a neighborhood and
only a few steps from several front doors, something that will
contrast in a clean and crisp manner and still plays well next
to the brick would be the best fit.
-I imagine this space would be ran by nonprofit community
groups for a wide variety of events with varying levels of
scales for all ranges of people.
-typical daily users I suspect most will just pass by,
- others may have kids here for classes and some may have
night classes after work.
Music Performance Space / Concert Hall
-For rehearsal and public performances approx. 150 seats
-Flexible configurations and infrastructure, similar to black
box theaters
- Including back of the house spaces
Public Lobby
- Can be used of informal performances
- Food staging area / prep kitchen for events
Lounge space
- Students
- Faculty
Music practice rooms - single
- Approx. 120 nsf
- Teaching
Music practice rooms - groups
- 6-10 musicians
Include all building and program support spaces

6. 1-the brick wall of the adjacent building to the south the wall
offers opportunity for pleasurable exterior garden backdrop.
2a- corner of Columbus Ave. and Holyoke St.
- Columbus is a busy ave. into and out of the city, traveled
by all ages at all times, via all methods.
Bicycles, bus, automotive, walking,
- Holyoke St, is a residential quiet street that dead ends into
a Greenway corridor.
The possibility of closing Columbus Ave for a street fair, is
not likely.
But Holyoke St would be great because of the minimal
automotive traffic and the high amount of pedestrian access.
Added feature to Holyoke is the building face immediately to
the North is a very plain blank brick wall, which would also
make for a nice backdrop for a large banner promoting the
local community street fair.
existing
large tree
walking
the dog
bicycle
traffic
busy traffic
bus stop
coffee /
snack
possible
garden
main
entry
rustic
brick
wall
small trees
corner
two way
residential
entry
HolyokeAve.
Columbus Ave

7. -Maintaining the gap,
-Being a good neighbour
-Unique building facade with
contrasting materials
-Columbus Ave open directly to the
Garden

8. -From Columbus Ave there is direct
access to the Garden via an exterior
set of steps.
-From Columbus Ave there is an
entry at the corner of Holyoke
HOLYOKE AVE.

9. -From Columbus Ave there is direct
access to the Garden via an exterior
set of steps.
-Due to elevation changes the
Garden was dropped and an exterior
set of steps.
-There is also interior passageway in
between the main Performance
space and the Garden
GARDEN
COLUMBUS AVE.

10. ELEVATORS
@ FIRST LEVEL
RAMP TO GARDEN
@ GROUND LEVEL
-Here we see an interior view from
the Garden Entry.
-Shows the Ground level ramping
down under the First Level.
-Shows the Main performance space
at the core.
-This allows all visitor to pass by and
be able to observe without major
distractions.
- Behind the Performance Space is
two levels of Student classrooms.
-We see these two levels have open
a balconies to the atrium space
- To the right we see the glass wall
that allows all levels a view of the
Garden.

11. -The Garden is an important
feature in being able to
incorporate the existing vintage
brick wall of the adjacent building.
- The glass wall that allows all
levels a view of the Garden.
- The roof deck is mostly open and
will have a nice view of the
Garden.

12. Columbus Ave
-Maintaining the gap,
-Being a good neighbour
-Unique building facade with
contrasting materials
-Main entry is opens directly to
Garden
COLUMBUS AVE.
HOLYOKEAVE.

13. -This level is home to the Main
Performance Space, as well as
staging, storing, classrooms and
lobby areas.
-The primary access to this to the
level is from the elevators.
-An alternative is the stairwell that
opens to the Garden.
COLUMBUS AVE.

14. -Being a good neighbour
-Unique building facade with
contrasting materials

15. - The building fabric immediately
adjacent is comprised of Victorian
brick and Brownstone townhouses,
tree-lined streets, brick sidewalks,
parks, playgrounds, and community
gardens.
-The elevations feature a metal
panel facade with varied levels for
dark to light greys.
-This helps minimize the overall bulk
of the facade.
-The ribbed green metal adds a
contrast that is welcoming to the
Brick in winter and summer.
COLUMBUS AVE.

16. -The main Performance Space is
on the bottom level and visible by
the two levels of classrooms
above.
-The roof deck is mostly
unconditioned space.

17. -Entering from the corner visitors
ramp up to the first floor.
-The entry ramp curves around
behind the Street Stage. Can
double as load space and back
stage space.
-The First level offers a few
classrooms and access to the
elevator for levels above and below.
-From the entry visitors can see
down into the Main Performance
Space.
COLUMBUS AVE.
HOLYOKEAVE.

18. -This level has the majority of the
classes views down to the Main
Performance Space and an exposed
balcony that overlooks the street
corner.
COLUMBUS AVE.

19. -This level offers a rooftop terrace,
Vip lounge, some class rooms.
- Views of the city to the North, the
Holyoke to the East, Columbus to the
South, and the Garden space to the
West.
COLUMBUS AVE.

20. COLUMBUS AVE.

21. -Maintaining the gap, which has been
created by the the Garden space.
-Being a good neighbour, the overall
building height, gradually diminishes
to soften the corner.
-Unique building facade with
contrasting materials offers various
levels of occupancy to enhance the
program.