Gregory | Minott
AIA
•
LEED AP
2010 AIA Young
Architects Award
from THE NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY Master of Architecture & Master of Infrastructure Planning from the Caribbean School of Architecture Bachelor of Arts in Architecture Gregory Minott AIA, whose team won $10,000 for Best Building Design, explains his team’s “Plaza at Dudley Square” proposal.
OCTOBER 2009 American Institute of Architects • Boston Area Young Real Estate Professionals • National Council of Architectural Registration Boards • National Organization of Minority Architects • Boston Society of Architects
Roxbury, MA
DUDLEY SQUARE 02
Dudley Square
Independent Design Competition, MA
Dudley Square has a unique and valuable history. As a part of Roxbury and Greater Boston, it has maintained a separate and distinct identity since the founding of the colonies as a manufacturing, commercial and retail district. As an urban marketplace, it has changed dramatically, especially during the 20th century, as did many of the urban centers in America. The flood of immigrants to cities during the early 20th century, the migration of African-Americans from the South, the rise and decline of the manufacturing sector, and suburbanization or “white flight� have all changed the character and usage of Dudley Square over the years. However, buildings change more slowly than businesses and residents, and the large, vacant lots, buildings and upper-floor space in Dudley Square testify to the magnitude of the changes that have taken place there in recent decades. And yet despite the gloom that these stately, vacant structures impose upon Dudley Square, retail businesses continue to survive and even thrive there.
Roxbury, MA
DUDLEY SQUARE
Dudley Square is the heart of Boston’s Roxbury Neighborhood and the soul of Boston’s African-American community. Once a thriving commercial center and home to New England’s largest furniture retailer; Dudley Square experienced a loss of businesses and residents to urban flight. Building on a community vision outlined in the Roxbury Strategic Master Plan and subsequent initiatives by Mayor Menino, numerous completed and planned redevelopment projects including a new municipal services building, Dudley Square is making a remarkable comeback.
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Roxbury, MA
City Context: Dudley Square is located halfway between the Boston Medical Center and the Longwood Medical Area and less than half a mile from Northeastern University; all are major employment centers. Additionally the Back Bay, Downtown, and Seaport District employment centers are within two miles of Dudley Square. Dudley Square is easily accessed by regional highways I - 93 and I - 90, and local arterials Melnea Cass Blvd. and Tremont Street. Dudley Square is also served by numerous public transit lines including the Silver Line (BRT) at Dudley Station and the Orange (rapid rail) and Commuter Rail Lines at Ruggles Station. Dudley Station is situated in the heart of the district and is the MBTA’s busiest bus terminal including the most passenger transfers.
DUDLEY SQUARE
FERDINAND SITE
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B-2 SITE
The Harbor Trail bikeway runs along Melnea Cass Blvd. connecting Dudley Square to the Southwest Corridor bikeway to the west and Downtown Boston and the Seaport District to the northeast. City and State agencies own numerous land parcels in the area including the competition site. Urban Ring (planned transit) Harbor Trail – pedestrian / bicycle route Southwest Corridor – pedestrian / bicycle route Competition Site
Dudley Square is located halfway between the Boston Medical Center and the Longwood Dudley Square Commercial District Medical Area and less than half a mile from Northeastern University; all are major employment centers. AdditionallyPublicly the Back Bay, Downtown, Owned Development Sitesand Seaport District employment centers are within two miles of Dudley Square. Dudley Square is easily accessed by regional highways I-93 and I-90, and local arterials Recent Projects Melnea Cass Blvd. and Tremont Street. Dudley Square is also served by numerous public transit lines including the Silver Line (BRT) at Dudley Station and Open Space the Orange (rapid rail) and Commuter Rail Lines at Ruggles Station. Dudley Station is situated N in the heart of the district and is the MBTA’s busiest bus terminal.
Square Community Charrette and Design Competition — Boston Redevelopment Authority, Planning and Economic Development Office; Boston Society of Architects/AIA; Common Boston. This event is made possible with the support of the Equity Office.
Roxbury, MA
City Context:
CommercialPrimary Main Street – Washington Street Street for Business
- Washington Street
Orchard Gardens Hope VI VI Orchard Gardens Hope
DUDLEY SQUARE
Existing Ferdinand Building (Proposed Municipal Building)
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Dudley Station and & Silver LineLine Dudley StationBus - Bus Silver
Existing PoliceStation Station Existing B-2B-2 Police (Proposed Plaza at Dudley Square) DudleyLibrary Library Courthouse Courthouse
Goal and Urban Conditions
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Independent Design Competition, MA Goal Generate urban design ideas for the regeneration of Building Award, 2008 City of Boston the southern edge of theBest Dudley SquareDesign Commercial District as an active commercial and retail area, The reconnecting planned removal twoofvacant buildings and the relocation of the it to theofheart the district immediately existing Boston to the north. B-2 Police Station on Dudley Street to Washington Street result in a large site redevelopment opportunity. Site Description The goal then craft an urban design strategy and build intervention Area:was 78,415 SF to / 1.8 Acres that both re-establishes the Frontage: 460 Linear Feetsouthern edge of the Dudley Square Commercial District and reintegrates whole Topography: generallythis level,edge slightinto risethe at the rear district.
Existing and Future Street Wall Edge(Active Retail)
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Frontage and Views om b X The Bsite has frontage on both Washington and lv Dudleyd.. Streets and a prominent view corridors along both Washington Street and Melcomb X Blvd.
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Main Street District Boundary
Site
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Dudley
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Library Frontage Dudley Library
The City and community desire the minimum parking necessary for vibrant and active new development. Responses must address reasonable parking Roxbury & Girls Club requirements and situate structured andBoys surface parking at the rear of the site.
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Desired Site Access Roadways
Active Retail Front on Dudley Street
Warren Ave.
Adjacencies North – Dudley Square Station (bus and BRT) Northwest – proposed Judge Gorden Park WestProminent – the proposed B-2 Police Station Corner Frontage Boys and Girls Club South&–Park Roxbury Southeast – Roxbury Court House East – the existing Dudley Public Library Site Proposed B-2Police Station Access and Parking with police parking at rear To reduce vehicular traffic on Dudley Street, vehicular access would be provided from both Court Washington and Warren Streets. House
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THE PLAZA AT DUDLEY SQUARE
Roxbury, MA
The Plaza at Dudley Square
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Roxbury, MA
THE PLAZA AT DUDLEY SQUARE 07
The overall design explores the aspirations of the Roxbury community, and takes advantage of the site location in Dudley Square, as well as the large number of commuters that travel the area daily. A new pedestrian plaza creates a gateway to the area and is anchored by a smaller community building to the east and a larger commercial office building to the west linked by a glass bridge. Within these buildings a mix of community and arts space, retail, dining, and office space is provided, in addition to underground parking. Environmentally conscious strategies were utilized throughout the project. Waste from the site’s demolished buildings will be recycled to build the new plaza, which will gradually incline from Dudley Street to the courthouse building. The south facing office atrium in the commercial building, as well as other strategies throughout the project will seek to increase energy efficiency by maximizing daylight and reducing cooling and heating loads. The park, the heavily planted plaza, and a green roof on the community building will add much needed vegetation, and can help moderate the impact of paved surfaces on the area’s micro climate.
Best Building Design Award 2008
Roxbury, MA
THE PLAZA AT DUDLEY SQUARE 08
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Their submission was the most compelling in the sense that we could actually imagine it being built…We all thought that, if you could do this, it would truly make the square a better place.
- KAIROS SHEN, CHIEF PLANNER, CITY OF BOSTON
The library, which has been dubbed “The People’s University”, has been renovated and given a stronger presence with a new glass atrium on Dudley Street. The glass atrium also provides access to the community office building and a coffee shop, and creates additional arts and community function space. The atrium also acts as a through passage to the new recreational park adjacent to the courthouse.
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Roxbury, MA
The centerpiece of our revitalization efforts will be the creation of Boston’s next great public building, here in the heart of the Square on the Ferdinand site”.
- MAYOR THOMAS MENINO, CITY OF BOSTON
1906
The rich historical context of Dudley Square and Roxbury must be incorporated into the design of the facility to maintain continuity between the community’s future and its past. The approach to design must be sensitive to preservation of the Ferdinand Building.
MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING
FERDINAND SITE
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1931
PROPOSED PLAZA AT DUDLEY SQUARE
2009
Municipal Office Building Project Architect, Elkus-Manfredi Architects, MA
Roxbury, MA
MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING 10
The fundamental goal of the project is to design a 21st century municipal facility that fits and responds to the site, strengthens the local community, and serves the neighborhood and the City. Surrounding Dudley Square, we have a number of different uses which converge on the Ferdinand site. Civic and Transit uses from the south, shopping from the north, and residential uses from the east and west. These uses create influential pathways that will shape the concept for the new facility. This strategy is not a new one and can be seen at points throughout Roxbury’s history where the needs of the community have influenced the development of physical spaces over time.
Roxbury, MA
MUNICIPAL OFFICE BUILDING 11
LEFT & ABOVE: Pathways through the site translate into vibrant interior streets and atriums that become important venues for arts and entertainment, where city workers and the community, individuals and families, the young and old can mix and learn from each other, and celebrate the traditions that make Roxbury unique.
We believe this concept will connect the uses of the building with the wider community and reinforces the ideas of openness, accessibility and collaboration between city workers and Dudley Square community and surrounding areas. When these design ideas come together they begin to paint a vibrant picture of Dudley Square’s rebirth. RIGHT: This image represents an attitude towards the design of the new facility, and not a final product. The restored Ferdinand building becomes the new identity for City Hall and symbolic of Dudley Squares comeback story. The new construction honors the historic Ferdinand building while making a statement on Dudley Square’s redevelopment. The base of the building becomes activated with innovative retail concepts and improved streetscapes enhance the experience walking through the square.
Medford, MA
SKYLINE AT STATION LANDING 12
Station Landing is the recently completed transformation of a 16-acre brownfield site just outside of Boston into a vibrant mixed use transitoriented development. The development has the highest mix of residential and retail uses along the busier roadways to the north and east with Medford, Ma residential condominiums towards the quieter waterfront and existing park. Direct access to the nearby T station was also improved to reduce the dependency on vehicular commutes predominantly into Boston.
Skyline at Station Landing Project Architect, Elkus-Manfredi Architects, MA
SKYLINE AT STATION LANDING
Medford, MA
The proposed condominium building is located on the Mystic River with views to Boston and is phase two of a mixed use transit-oriented development. The project will provide 127 Condominium units and 201 parking spaces. The building is proposed as a 12 story steel frame building on grade beams and pad foundations. The exterior skin is a playful composition of brick, metal panel and precast. The project budget was $50 million.
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PHOTOGRAPH BY R. BENSON
PHOTOGRAPH BY R. BENSON
PHOTOGRAPH BY R. BENSON
Asbury Park, NJ
ASBURY PARK 14
ASBURY GRAND PHASE 1
Project Architect, Gray Watt Partners, NY (formerly WORK A+D)
A redevelopment area along New Jersey’s south shore, the existing building was renovated for a group of New Jersey developers interested in building luxury condominiums in Asbury Park. The building which previously housed the New Jersey Power and Electric Company is located in downtown Asbury Park. It is located approximately 1/2 mile from the shore and two blocks away from the central business district. Each floor is typical and will have 5 units. The units range in size from 900-1500 s.f with the larger units on the corners facing the ocean and nearby lake.
Asbury Park, NJ
ASBURY PARK
ASBURY GRAND PHASE 2
Project Architect, Gray Watt Partners, NY (formerly WORK A+D)
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The proposed building was designed for a group of new jersey developers interested in building luxury condominiums in asbury park. the site is located approximately 1/2 a mile from the shore and two blocks away from the central business district. The building was proposed as a 6 story concrete, steel and glass building. The concept of generous outdoor space for each unit drove the design of the building. The buidling’s form is articulated by this concept where balconies subtract from the volumes or become extensions of the buildings form and function. 29 units are proposed.