
AIR RIGHTS










AIR RIGHTS
This project was designed as part of a larger master plan to develop parcels 16-23 of the I-90 highway that run through and under Boston. This site in particular is located just south of Parcel 22 off of Herald St and Washington St, one of Bostons oldest streets. On the border between Chinatown and the South end, there is a diverse selection of public programming and also public transit. with hospitals, schools restaurants and housing all near by. The program for this building consists of hard and soft labs, for long and short term renting ability, as well as rentable office space. These three major programs are emphasized in the buildings massing. With an intent to encourage collaboration programs are connected by a main atrium optimizing visibility to other occupants .On the public ground floor, there is bike shop for all the people in the area who bike and might need some repairs, a cafe for small quick bights and lunch, a gallery space to display the prototypes and products made in the labs upstairs, and a electronics/hardware store for people to get custom parts for there projects. Being in close proximity to an elementary school, there is also available classroom space for students to come and use the building for there tech ed classes and any additional classes that may use the facilities provided like 3d printers. Below the building there are 4.5 levels of parking to replace the parking removed for development. There is also an underground bar/club for the local night life that extends under Herald St and exposes the under ground rail and highway. The future development of these parcels will build on top of the now open highway and railway ultimately hiding it from public eye. By creating a visual connection back to this infrastructure, the architecture recognizes the past of the site and transforms the passing of the train into a spectacle for those grabbing a drink.