Better Boston Developement

To begin this project, we sought an area that would be abandoned and provide a large amount of space to work with. We decided on the abandoned CVS on 35 Northampton Street, Boston, Massachusetts. When considering the practicality of our land, we wanted to examine the benefits and constraints associated with this area. The area is directly in the heart of Boston and is directly across from the Boston Medical Center. The benefit of this area is that it is conveniently located near everything, and Boston is a highly populated city. This plot of land offers about 84,000 square feet of usable space. With these benefits, there are some constraints, such as the area being populated and resulting in increased traffic, as it is located across from a hospital.

To bring our development to life, we decided to use the 3D software, Revit. For our physical model, we used the following materials: cardboard, acrylic board, wooden sticks, hot glue, and razor knives.

To complement the affordable housing we were tasked with building, we decided to develop a community center. This community center would include a reception area, followed by a basketball court and a recreational facility on the first floor. Upon entering the second floor, you will find a public space with access to computers and seating areas for work or relaxation. Suppose you are looking for more privacy than can be achieved. We suggest using our sectioned meeting rooms to work in a secluded and noise-insulated area. The community center features a glass and wall finish that highlights the transparency and hospitality the center offers. Most notably, the second floor features an oval-shaped glass roof, designed to maximize the sunlight that enters the area. With this community center, we want people of all ages to feel comfortable and rely on this center as if it were a YMCA or BCYF.

In this part of Boston, there is a need for more activities and programs that engage the youth, and this community center can offer that. For our apartment complex, we aimed to target middle- to low-income families. So, the goal of the apartment complex was to provide affordable housing. The complex features 75 apartment spaces spread across three stories, comprising 15 two-bedroom and 10 one-bedroom apartments per story. The apartments will all be located above an above-ground garage. For those with larger vehicles, we also offer outdoor parking.

If this plan were to be further developed, then we would consider the environment. A majority of the construction will be concrete, and to limit the cost and impact of the concrete, we suggest using pervious concrete for the parking lot, as it reduces the need for a drainage system. Additionally, for the foundation of the complex and community center, we can utilize low-carbon concrete to minimize the amount of CO2 emitted during installation.