mecanoo finalizes the bruce c. bolling municipal building in boston

mecanoo finalizes the bruce c. bolling municipal building in boston
all images © mecanoo

designed by dutch practice mecanoo, together with US-based firm sasaki associates, the ‘bruce c. bolling municipal building’ in boston not only houses the boston public schools (BPS) department, but also plays a central role in the reactivation of roxbury’s dudley square. since every student and parent in massachusetts will visit the BPS at least once, the building is designed to be accessible and welcoming to people of all ages. consequently, the scheme proposes new ways of working – promoting collaboration and transparency through an open layout. 

the project unites and re-engages the existing urban fabric

the project unites and re-engages the existing urban fabric through a continual integration with the new structure. in blending new and old into one interconnected series of spaces, the scheme looks to the future while referencing the neighborhood’s rich and vibrant past. to this end, the historic façade of the adjacent five story limestone and terra cotta ‘ferdinand’ building has been restored and kept as a landmark, returning life to a building intrinsically linked to the community. the site’s other buildings have also been comprehensively restored.

the complex’s welcoming glazed entrance

owing to the number of different masonry techniques emplyed, a contemporary interpretation of classical layering manifests itself in the project’s distinctive brick work. within the façade are elements in relief, casting shadows across one another in a playful and engaging rhythm. additionally, because of the vitreous properties of the brick, the elevation reflects light in different ways depending on the weather conditions.

neighboring structures have been restored and integrated within the design

internally, the ground floor of the facility serves as an entirely public zone that provides community gathering space alongside opportunities for individual economic advancement. the floor above is outfitted with spaces in which parents, students and staff interface, as well as serving as home to the roxbury innovation center. the double height school committee room, surrounded by the facade of the ferdinand building, can also be used for cultural and community activities.

the ground floor has been conceived as an open public space

above are three floors offering flexible work space that varies from open office floors to small areas for concentration, multiple meeting rooms, and spatial niches along the existing façades. the sixth floor houses public meeting rooms, as well as a roof terrace that provides sweeping vistas across the metropolis towards downtown boston.

stairs leading to the foyer’s upper level

the building is designed to be vibrant, accessible and welcoming to people of all ages

mecanoo also designed a complete map of the region to grace the building’s lobby

 a public roof terrace that provides sweeping vistas across the metropolis

a contemporary interpretation of classical layering manifests itself in the project’s distinctive brick work

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project info:

program: 16,700 sqm (179,757 sqf) municipal office building for boston public schools department with community space and retail, integrating 3 historic facades
design: 2011-2012
realization: 2012-2015
client: city of boston, MA, US
partner architect, landscape architect and civil engineer: sasaki associates, watertown, MA, US
historic preservation consultant: building conservation associates, dedham, MA, US
structural, mechanical and electrical engineer: arup, cambridge, MA, US
lighting consultant: lam partners, cambridge, MA, US
construction manager: shawmut design and construction, boston, MA, US
project management for client: PMA consultants, braintree, MA, US