03 THE GRID

02 BIKE LOCK

The East Boston Area is in need of a new central hub to bring communities together. This project creates a multi use Cultural center to join ends of the city. Site 1 is understood as the door to our site and draws people to the center of our hub. In this space we offer study areas, a library and an outdoot theater ,and a cafe. Site 2 creates a center space for both rest and movement, offering both a covered and uncovered patio to enjoy lunch after visiting cafes, restaurants or markets. There is also a fitness center for the active people that exercise along the greenway. Site 3 features a restaurant and a bike shop that connects programs from adjoining sites and creates a moment of rest in the central courtyard. Finally site 4 offers a diverse amount of markets, space for vendors and a stepped seating area to enjoy the greenway and passerby. Overall, this project will bring people together in this diverse area to rest, interact and pass through the center of East Boston.

Program Diagram

The ground floor plan features a public program with benches and bike shops along the greenway. The Greenway is 5 feet lower than the earth, and multiple stairs and ramps allow pedestrians to walk up and down between the building and the greenway. The upper floor, the apartment features the study room, daycare for the elderly and children, and the game room relate to enclosed courtyard space on the third and fourth floors. On the fifth floor, a rooftop kitchen opens to the sky so people can invite their friends over for a barbeque and enjoy the view over East Boston. Next to the rooftop kitchen, we have a gym that overlooks the other two buildings, The greenway extension, and The Maverick Market.

All of the communal space are connected throughout the apartment providing easy access for all residents. The units are placed perpendicular to the greenway, allowing cross ventilation and easier access to sun while providing a nice view toward the street and the greenway. The columns structure system gives the freedom creating void space and organizing the dwelling unit. The Grid has five circulation cores that split the building into six blocks to avoid long corridors.

04 Nubian Square Performing Arts Center

To investigate the interstices between contemporary music, poetry, and architecture. To discover / uncover and diagrammatically articulate compositional and spatial concepts, familiar to all three disciplines, for the purpose of conceptually informing the design of the Nubian Square Performing Arts Center.

This project aims to create a building that participate in public life and stimulate the social interaction. The main concept is all about the experience when circulating the buiding. The front facade shows the hierachy of a grand staircase that guide the community to the upper floor. The entrance for the auditorium and the gallery is on the second floor with a pavilion that provides the public a cozy experience overlooking the green space below. The outdoor performance is a open and airy space with a glass ceiling on the top. Bringing back the community and create a cohesive network by easy pedestrian access throughout the cafe, staff working area, performance space, the art gallery and the green space.