Located between Ring Road and Exeter Street in Boston’s Back Bay district, this elevated plaza is challenged with abundant shade, high winds and poor pedestrian access. The renovation of this plaza focuses on creating year-long interest for pedestrians while providing an activated urban space for the adjacent retail and residential tenants. The design team and ownership focused their efforts on the programming of the space through seasonal attractions and a reimagined walking surface. In the spirit of the Winnipeg ‘warming hut’, the idea of a compelling light structure that is easily transformed to an insulated destination during cold months and a breezing structure for outdoor dining in the warm months was generated. The design intent also focuses on its illuminating properties functioning as a sculpture in the plaza.

Developer: AvalonBay Communities