ISSUE 1: 2016
now+next A Community Center Reimagined Architect for six community centers operated by the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston, serving more than 16,000 youth, the firm recently completed an extensive gut renovation of a 40,000 square foot, 1940s structure in South Boston to meet the dynamic and spirited needs of its members.
Q&A with Mike Binette, AIA, NCARB on strategies for solving the shortage of middle market housing. While the building of both luxury units and
What changes do you see happening near
subsidized affordable housing remains feasi-
term?
ble, a widening gap continues for the middle
Demand cannot be met with single-family
market. Why is it so difficult to create?
housing, both because it is too costly in
There are several barriers given the current
these markets and because there is not
market’s multifamily frenzy: land costs, con-
enough space to adequately expand the sup-
struction costs, regulatory framework, lack of
ply. To address this demand, the supply of
public support, and few developer incentives
multifamily housing (both rental and home
compared to the strong returns on market-rate
ownership) must be increased in appropriate
housing. The goal of creating housing units
locations — transportation oriented develop-
for the middle market can be achieved but it
ments, such as Ashmont Tire and The Carruth
will take concessions and collaboration by all
are good strategies. Adjacent to transporta-
stakeholders to make this happen.
tion and scaled appropriately these new
What strategies will contribute to a solution?
developments provide not only much needed
Communities must reassess municipal permitting entitlements — planning and zoning — to encourage multifamily uses and development of rental housing as a suitable choice for families and young professionals. A property tax exemption on middle market apartment projects would certainly help, as would decreasing project costs by simply reassessing and reducing archaic and most often anecdotal parking requirements. Municipalities with Affordable Housing Trusts could consider
housing, but also the density needed to support community businesses. The ground floor storefront retail creates pedestrian traffic and generates a palpable vitality in the neighborhood. Moreover, both of these particular properties create mixed-income communities by leveraging the creation of subsidized affordable units to carry the cost of development to also create reasonably priced market-rate condos — an innovative and thoughtful development strategy by Trinity Financial.
amending their charter in certain situations to permit expenditure on housing above 80% of AMI. But those are all longer-term strategies.
TOP | The Carruth, a 116 unit transit oriented, mixed use development with 10,000 square feet of retail space in Dorchester, MA. BOTTOM | Rendering of Ashmont Tire II, a new transit oriented development adjacent to The Carruth, providing 83 units and 5,000 square feet of retail space.
Michael D. Binette, AIA, NCARB Vice President + Principal mbinette@architecturalteam.com
The adaptive reuse of the former Holyoke Catholic Campus transformed four historic 152-year-old structures into 54 units of affordable workforce housing. Until its restoration, the abandoned campus sat lifeless for more than 10 years with boarded-up windows and barred doors. Continued on page 9‌
Photography | Joel Howe
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We are honored to have had the chance to put this historic site back to use to serve the Lawrence community and to accomplish another important step in the city’s revitalization. — LARRY CURTIS, President and Managing Partner, WinnDevelopment
NEW LIFE FOR HISTORIC MILL nce home to the original manufacturer of Polartec fleece and other modern textiles, Malden Mills was destroyed by a fire in 1995. Originally built in 1866, the campus began its phased transformation four years ago when two of the historic buildings, totaling 160,000 square feet, were adapted by TAT into an award-winning 75-unit contemporary LEED certifiable multifamily community. Phase Two of the historic restoration involved breathing new life into 120,000 square feet of the complex, reassembling four historic mill buildings to create two, adding 62
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units of affordable housing for working families earning below 60 and 30 percent of area median income (AMI). Never intended for housing, the design worked to achieve a balance of old and new — the architectural characteristics of the former mill were leveraged to optimize living space, featuring high ceilings, large windows with clerestory transoms for dramatic light and exposed brickwork. Architecturally significant and distinctive aspects of the mill were preserved, including repurposing original metal clad fire doors as decorative elements in the lobby and other com-
mon areas, restoring the clock tower as a functioning timepiece and retaining an existing pulley and flywheel assembly on the ceiling in the common room. Unique to many affordable housing developments, the complex consists of ample loft-style studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and quality market-rate amenities: a 15,000 square foot community room with kitchen and entertainment space, fitness facilities, a movie theater, an indoor children’s play area, outdoor patio space and ample parking.
Interiors | Ideal Design
CLIENT | WinnDevelopment EXTERIOR | To preserve the structure’s historic architectural heritage, the adaptive reuse consisted of extensive masonry restoration and repair, as well as replication of historic windows.
INTERIOR | The interiors of Loft Five50 Phase II showcase historic elements such as large windows with clerestory transoms, and soaring wood beam ceilings as seen in the community room and unit living space.
Photography | Gregg Shupe
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A COMMUNITY CENTER REIMAGINED The celebrated reopening of the newly renovated Edgerley Family South Boston Club includes bright, colorful interiors with glass partitions, themed artwork, flexible furniture and restored hardwood floors. CLIENT | Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston
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Photography | Andy Ryan
he year-long, $11.3 million renovation now provides interior programmatic spaces that have been redesigned to focus on serving three specific member groups: youth, pre-teen and teen. “Kids are sophisticated about design. Our firm’s mission has been to create welcoming, culturally appropriate spaces that drive engagement, participation and creativity for diverse youth ranging from young children to teenagers, whose needs are genuinely different,” Senior Project Manager Mark Rosenshein explains. Safe, fully accessible program spaces, a commercialquality kitchen, and an acoustically soundproof music space with a state-of-the-art recording booth are a result of the redesign. Shared program areas include the auditorium which doubles as a cafeteria, the music clubhouse, art room with floor to ceiling windows, computer lab and gymnasium — each located on the first floor to allow for maximum supervision and safety. Visibility was enhanced throughout the building by adding full glazing on doors, and colorful storefront glass between hallways and program areas. Transparency and visible connections within the club aids staff by improving oversight, and creates a synergistic atmosphere, fostering engagement and movement between spaces.
The evolution of TAT’s design for the clubs has led to a ‘space of prominence’ featuring music and spoken word programmatic areas, including recording studios, access to a variety of instruments and digital recording software programs — key areas of interest for this generation of youth. Members want control over their creative expression and the design helps foster participation; encouraging young people’s enthusiasm for digital media, communicating in their public voices about issues they care about and mastering the use of media tools to express themselves and connect with peers. 5
The Residence at Five Corners, Easton, MA Photography | Congress Construction
Our partnership with TAT spans two decades, over which time we have collaborated on dozens of projects. LCB’s business is predicated on creating beautiful communities that our residents can call home — places that are as friendly and comfortable as they are efficient and appropriate for our business. TAT consistently comes through with designs and services that not only achieve our objectives, but help make our company more successful.
The Residence at South Windsor Farms, South Windsor, CT Photography | Congress Construction
The Residence at Watertown Square, Watertown, MA Photography | Gustav Hoiland 6
The Residence at Brookside, Avon, CT Photography | Congress Construction
The Residence at Riverbend, Ipswich, MA Photography | Warren Jagger
The Residence at Five Corners, Easton, MA Photography | Congress Construction
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U P D AT E S O N S E L E C T TAT P R O J E C T S
1 CANADA FARMS, Bloomington, IN Evergreen Partners 2 67 MECHANIC, Attleboro, MA WinnDevelopment 3 THE POINT AT 180, Malden, MA Sagebrook Development 4 AVALON SUDBURY, Sudbury, MA AvalonBay Communities
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EVENTS + OPENINGS
RECENT NEWS
TEAM
TAT recently celebrated the Grand Openings of The Residence at Valley Farm, Ashland, MA; Ellen S. Jackson Apartments, Roxbury, MA; Maplewood at Brewster, Brewster, MA; The Lofts at 30 Pine, Gardner, MA; Outing Park, Springfield, MA; and St. Kevin’s Redevelopment, Dorchester, MA.
Counting House Lofts Rehabbed with Respect Tax Credit Advisor
TAT welcomes new hires Mitchell Lowe to the architectural staff, Erica Whiteside to interiors, Danielle Eckrich to the administrative staff, as well as co-ops Andrea Welsh, Thomas Gardener, Andrew Fair, and Berenice Yanez.
Recent Groundbreakings were celebrated at Brunswick Estates, Jersey City, NJ; and Fitchburg Yarn Mill, Fitchburg, MA.
How To Develop An Urban Assisted Living Site Environments for Aging
Bridge to Somewhere National Trust for Historic Preservation FORM Q&A: The Architectural Team Form Magazine
For more recent news and project information, please visit www.architecturalteam.com
CLIENT | Weld Management Company, Inc. otaling more than 73,000 square feet, the adaptive reuse of Holyoke Catholic Campus into Chestnut Park Apartments involved the preservation and restoration of four historic buildings with diverse architectural styles ranging from Italianate and Colonial Revival to French Second Empire. Extensive replication and restoration of significant architectural features included: interior trim, plaster wall and ceiling surfaces, original wood flooring, tin ceilings, stained glass windows and exterior porches. The slate roofing was repaired and the long-removed tower was completely rebuilt. The redevelopment is a prime example of a successful private/public partnership and workforce housing strategy allowing for the complete transformation of the neighborhood and favorable pedestrian activity downtown.
EXTERIOR | Located adjacent to Veteran’s Park and the Holyoke Transportation Center, the development adds much needed pedestrian traffic and vitality to a critical area of the city’s TOD corridor.
INTERIOR | The Convent of the Sisters of Notre Dame chapel now provides 1,000 square feet of living space with 25 foot ceilings, bedroom loft, and restored stained glass windows. Throughout the building historic tin ceilings, windows, and stairs have also been restored.
Photography | Joel Howe 9
+fyi Photography | Andy Ryan
TAT recently contributed new community center design standards to the Clubhouse Design Handbook published by Music & Youth Initiative. These national standards reflect the firm’s expertise in creating innovative after-school facilities that offer music and spoken-word programs in spaces of prominence; an increasingly popular activity for youth enrichment.