h+ magazine | no. 1 | fall-winter 2014

80
DESIGN CULTURE H + THE SOUTH END EDITION DESIGN FEATURES EDITORIALS PHOTO ESSAYS FALL | WINTER 2014 ISSUE NUMBER ONE PUBLISHED BY HACIN + ASSOCIATES

Upload: hacin-associates

Post on 03-Apr-2016

213 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

DESCRIPTION

the South End Edition. Published by architecture and design firm, Hacin + Associates: www.hacin.com

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

DESIGNCULTUREH+

THESOUTH END

EDITION

DESIGN FEATURES

EDITORIALS

PHOTO ESSAYSFALL

|

WIN

TER

20

14

ISSU

E N

UM

BER

ON

E

PU

BLI

SH

ED

BY

HA

CIN

+ A

SSO

CIA

TES

Page 2: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Design. Service. No Boundaries.

Pho

to ©

Gus

tav

Ho

iland

Page 3: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Hacin + Associates [architecture + design]112 Shawmut Avenue, Studio 5A, Boston, MA 02118t: 617.426.0077 e: [email protected] w: www.hacin.com

“A gorgeous civic space centered around collaboration… If there was ever any doubt, Hacin’s design proves that, yes, innovation can be a beautiful thing.”

FAST COMPANY, on District Hall

Page 4: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Pho

to ©

Mic

hae

l Sta

vari

dis

Pho

to ©

Mic

hae

l Sta

varid

is

SOUTH END BUTTERY

Page 5: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

CHANDLERSTUDIOS54 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA 02116

www.chandlerstudiosboston.com

An uncomplicated boutique hotel experience.

Pho

to ©

Mic

hae

l Sta

vari

dis

FEATURED IN

ELLE DECOR

mA

GA

Z I NE

Page 6: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

131 Clarendon Street, Boston, MA 02116 | 617.437.7700 | www.flourbakery.com Pho

to ©

Mic

hae

l Sta

varid

is

Page 7: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS

11

14

18

32

42

A Slice of the South EndA walking tour of Boston’s South End Neighborhood highlighting some of H+A’s favorite spots and our projects in the area

Letter from the EditorA message from David Hacin, principal at Hacin + Associates, about our inaugural issue of H+ and the South End Edition

Modern MusesH+A’s Interior designers select inspireddesign objects from furniture to artworkfrom various South End businesses

Culture +A list of things we love, includingwhat we’re listening to, reading, watching, eating, buying, and discovering lately

Boston ConsideredAn essay written by David Hacin, on the identity of a city accompanied by images from photographer Bruce Martin

H+ 5MAGAZINE

Page 8: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS [continued]

56

70

74

DialogueA personal Interview with Suzanne Kenney, Executive Director of Project Place Gatehouse in the South End

List of 10: South End A list of the 10 quintessential experiencesin Boston’s South End neighborhood not to be missed

FOCUSA photographic essay“Place + Curiosity”Images by David Hacin

H+ 6 MAGAZINE

Page 9: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Setting a new precedent for apartment living on Mission Hill

RENTING EARLY 2016

www.1486tremont.com

www.hacin.com/portfolio/1480-tremont-street/

Developed by the Trellis Group, LLC

Hacin + Associates [architecture + design]

Page 10: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

DESIGN CULTURE

PUBLISHERHacin + Associates

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDavid Hacin

CREATIVE DIRECTORSDavid HacinEmily Neumann

EDITOR-AT-LARGEOscar

PHOTOGRAPHYBruce MartinEmily NeumannMichael StavaridisDavid HacinKent Dayton

COVER IMAGEEmily Neumann

ILLUSTRATIONDavid Tabenken

SET STYLISTSJennifer ClappKate KelleyChristine Rankin MankeRebecca RiversMatthew Woodward

CONTRIBUTORSScott ThomsonDavid TabenkenMatthew MankeKate KelleyJeremy RobertsonHillary FaccioMatthew ArnoldJeffrey BrownJennifer ClappRob ClockerAimee EpsteinDarien FortierRussell HigginsJoshua LentzChristine Rankin MankeRebecca RiversEduardo SerrateMatthew WoodwardSean FarrellJehanna Axelrod

SPECIAL THANKSJoanne ChangChristopher MyersBruce MartinSuzanne KenneyCasa Design BostonLekker HomeBobby From BostonSteven ZevitasDebra Folz

[email protected]

H+

H +H+ MAGAZINE IS CREATED, DESIGNED, AND PUBLISHED BYARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN FIRM, HACIN + ASSOCIATES112 SHAWMUT AVENUE, STUDIO 5A, BOSTON, MA 02118www.hacin.com | [email protected] | 617.426.0077

H+ 8 MAGAZINE

Page 11: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

DISTRICT HALL , 75 Northern Avenue, Boston, MA | www.gatherboston.com

Innovative cuisine for innovative people.

Pho

to ©

Bru

ce

Mar

tin

Page 12: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Osc

ar

in B

ost

on

Ma

ga

zine

Co

nce

pt

Ho

me

at

FP

3, P

hoto

©K

ent

Da

yto

n

H+ 10 MAGAZINE

Page 13: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Welcome to H+ Magazine!

In the last few years, websites, social media and blogs have become the most important way for all of us to communicate and share ideas with and about one another. With this first issue of our own magazine, we continue to explore ways to reach out directly to our friends and colleagues in a printed format that reflects our love of design, graphics, food, photography, and the people who influence us. H+A is an architecture and design firm but, more than that, we are an ever-evolving and dynamic group of people who bring a wide range of creative and often unexpected influences to our studio everyday. The idea for this semi-annual magazine was to express that aspect of who we are, share our work, and invite you to be a part of it.

FOR THIS INAUGURAL ISSUE, WE ARE FOCUSING ON BOSTON’S SOUTH END.

WHY?

BECAUSE OUR NEIGHBORHOOD IS OUR STORY. About twenty years ago, I started H+A with a few rolls of trace and masking tape on a cheap Conran’s dining room table bought on Newbury Street. My partner and I had recently made a move to Union Park in Boston’s ‘up and coming’ South End neighborhood. Certainly, it was a time of transition for an area attracting new residents but it was also a time of transition for me, leaving the corporate architectural world to start my own design firm. As H+A evolved and grew and attracted a diverse group of talented designers and profession-als, we moved our studio around the neighborhood several times, resisting the temptation to be downtown in some anonymous office space. The journey took us from a sculptor’s studio in a former musical instrument factory on Waltham Street, to our current space on Shawmut Avenue where Arthur Freedberg Tailors made suits for Saks Fifth Avenue. Like the shift from shuttered factories to artists’ studios to spaces for start-ups and designers, we experienced our neighborhood transforming itself, without losing its authentic self. We were also fortunate to participate directly in the redevelopment of the area. Years later, the South End is still our home and is still unique amongst Boston neighborhoods for being historic, charming and progressive all at the same time. We have changed as well. Over the years, our local work has encompassed all of the elements that we have come to describe as ‘incremental urbanism’ -- the idea that many of the most celebrated urban transformations happen incrementally and at all scales of design from the small cafe interior to the large apartment complex.

In this inaugural issue: A walking tour of the neighborhood, including some shopping finds from our interior design team; a favorite recipe from Joanne Chang of Myers and Chang; a curated selection of some of my more unusual travel photos; an interview with Project Place Executive Director Suzanne Kenney; and an article on why I think Boston has such a distinctive appearance, accompanied by photographs from Bruce Martin + much more. Special thanks to Emily Neumann for her enthusiastic embrace of the project and for putting it all together so beautifully.

We hope you enjoy it and welcome your thoughts and comments.

David Hacin FAIAPresident and [email protected]

LETTER FROMTHE EDITOR

H+ 11MAGAZINE

Page 14: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Architecture | Interiors | Branding

Page 15: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

LUXURY RESIDENCESON MARLBOROUGH

COMING IN 2015

Hacin + Associates [architecture + design]

www.four51marlborough.com

Architecture | Interiors | Branding

Developed by The Holland Companies

Page 16: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

washington streetshawmut avenue

harrison avenue

albany street

tremont street

dartmouth street

clarendon street

berkeley street

columbus avenue

to

dudley

square

to back

bay

to south boston

sowa market

cathedral

todo

wn

town

peters park

boston center

for the arts

union park

12

7

5

6

8 9 10

11

1214

15

16

17

18

19 2021

2223

2425

2627

28

29

134 3

+

D

A

N

P

O

O

O

B

IH

J

K

L

M

E

C

F G

H+A

H+ 14 MAGAZINE

Page 17: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

washington streetshawmut avenue

harrison avenue

albany street

tremont street

dartmouth street

clarendon street

berkeley street

columbus avenue

to

dudley

square

to back

bay

to south boston

sowa market

cathedral

todo

wn

town

peters park

boston center

for the arts

union park

12

7

5

6

8 9 10

11

1214

15

16

17

18

19 2021

2223

2425

2627

28

29

134 3

+

D

A

N

P

O

O

O

B

IH

J

K

L

M

E

C

F G

H+A

a slice of

the South

EndIllustration by David Tabenken

Take a stroll through Boston’s beloved historic South End with our walking map illustrating a lovely scenic route and spots to check out the next time you find yourself in the neighborhood. [See following pages for key]

Page 18: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

CHANDLER STUDIOS[Hotel]54 Berkeley StreetBoston, MA 02116617.482.3450www.chandlerstudiosboston.com

POLKA DOG BAKERY[Pet]256 Shawmut AveBoston, MA 02118617.338.5155www.polkadog.com

FORMAGGIO KITCHEN[Food, Wine]268 Shawmut AveBoston, MA 02118617.350.6996www.southendformaggio.com

FLOCK[Women’s Clothing]274 Shawmut AveBoston, MA 02118617.391.0222www.flockboston.com

MICHELE MERCALDO[Jewelry]276 Shawmut AveBoston, MA 02118617.350.7909www.michelemercaldo.com

FRANKLIN CAFE[Cocktails, Restaurant]278 Shawmut AveBoston, MA 02118617.350.0010www.franklincafe.com

SOUTH END BUTTERY[Market, Cafe, Restaurant]312-314 Shawmut AveBoston, MA 02118617.482.1015www.southendbuttery.com

Walk the South EndMICHELLE WILLEY[Home Decor]8 Union Park StBoston, MA 02118617.424.6700www.michellewilley.com

HUDSON[Home Decor]12 Union Park StBoston, MA 02118617.292.0900www.hudsonboston.com

GRACIE FINN[Gifts]18 Union Park StBoston, MA 02118617.357.0321www.graciefinn.com

PATCH NYC[Home, Gifts]46 Waltham StBoston, MA 02118617.426.0592www.patchnyc.com

LEKKER HOME[Home Decor]1313 Washington StreetBoston, MA 02118617.542.6464www.lekkerhome.com

BRIX WINE SHOP[Wine]1284 Washington StBoston, MA 02118617.542.2749www.brixwineshop.com

MYERS + CHANG[Restaurant]1145 Washington StBoston, MA 02118617.542.5200www.myersandchang.com

LACONIA GALLERY[Art Gallery]433 Harrison AvenueBoston, MA 02118617.670.1568www.laconiagallery.com

SOWA MARKET[Seasonal Open Market]460 Harrison AvenueBoston, MA 02118800.403.8305www.sowasundays.com

CASA DESIGN BOSTON[Home Decor]460 Harrison AvenueBoston, MA 02118617.654.2974www.casadesignboston.com

BOBBY FROM BOSTON[Vintage Clothing]19 Thayer StreetBoston, MA 02118617.423.9299

STEVEN ZEVITAS GALLERY[Art Gallery]450 Harrison Avenue, #47Boston, MA 02118617.778.5265 x 22www.stevenzevitasgallery.com

MOHR & McPHERSON[Home Decor, Cafe]460 Harrison AveBoston, MA 02118617.210.7900www.mohr-mcpherson.com

DECEMBER THIEVES[Home Decor, Gifts]524 Harrison AveBoston, MA 02118617.375.7879www.decemberthieves.com

THE BUTTERY MARKET | THE SAVOY | JORDAN LOFTS | JOE WEX DOG RECREATION SPACE LACONIA LOFTS | PROJECT PLACE/M+C | EAST BERKELEY LOFTS | 46 WAREHAM

27 WAREHAM | THE COLUMBIA | THE ST. GEORGE | THE MARAIS | PORTER HOUSES THE BUTTERY ON CLARENDON | SOUTH END TOWNHOUSES | CHANDLER STUDIOS coming soon

*

*

H+A PROJECTSA

A F 15

1 6

2 6 11

3 7 12

4 8 13

5 9 14

P 6 E

10

B C D

MLKJI

*pg. 41

*pg. 24 *pg. 20

*pg. 22

*pg. 26

*pg. 75

*pg. 75

H+ 16 MAGAZINE

Page 19: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

The PerfectSouth End Day

CATHEDRAL of the HOLY CROSS[Landmark, Church]1400 Washington StBoston, MA 02118www.holycrossboston.com

OLIVES & GRACE[Gifts]623 Tremont StBoston, MA 02118617.236.4536www.olivesandgrace.com

SAULT NEW ENGLAND[Men’s Clothing]577 Tremont StBoston, MA 02118857.239.9434www.saultne.com

AQUITAINE BOSTON[Restaurant]569 Tremont StBoston, MA 02118617.424.8577www.aquitaineboston.com

THE BUTCHER SHOP[Restaurant]552 Tremont StBoston, MA 02118617.423.4800www.thebutchershopboston.com

B & G OYSTERS[Restaurant]550 Tremont StBoston, MA 02116617.423.0550www.bandgoysters.com

THE BEEHIVE[Restaurant, Bar]541 Tremont StBoston, MA 02116617.423.0069www.beehiveboston.com

MILLS GALLERY at BCA[Art Gallery]539 Tremont StBoston, MA 02116617.426.8835www.bcaonline.org

CALDERWOOD PAVILION[Theater]527 Tremont StBoston, MA 02116617.933.8600www.huntingtontheatre.org

DESIGN WITHIN REACH[Home Decor]519 Tremont StreetBoston, MA 02116617.451.7801www.dwr.com

PICCO[Restaurant]513 Tremont StBoston, MA 02116617.927.0066www.piccorestaurant.com

UNIFORM[Men’s Clothing]511 Tremont StBoston, MA 02116617.247.2360www.uniformboston.com

TADPOLE[Children]58 Clarendon StBoston, MA 02116617.778.1788www.shoptadpole.com

FOLLAIN[Beauty, Skincare]53 Dartmouth StBoston, MA 02116857.284.7078www.shopfollain.com

THE BUTTERY MARKET | THE SAVOY | JORDAN LOFTS | JOE WEX DOG RECREATION SPACE LACONIA LOFTS | PROJECT PLACE/M+C | EAST BERKELEY LOFTS | 46 WAREHAM

27 WAREHAM | THE COLUMBIA | THE ST. GEORGE | THE MARAIS | PORTER HOUSES THE BUTTERY ON CLARENDON | SOUTH END TOWNHOUSES | CHANDLER STUDIOS

*

22 29

18 25

19 26

20 27

21 28

16 23

17 24

E F G H

PON

is one where you might wake up at Chandler Studios and walk around the corner for breakfast at The Buttery on Clarendon Street. Afterwards, do some shopping for menswear at Sault New England, browse the women’s clothing and accessories at Flock, treat yourself with a one-of-a-kind piece of jewelry at Michele Mercaldo’s jewelry boutique, and maybe even buy something for a friend at Patch NYC. By now you might have worked up an appetite again, so grab some lunch to go at Formaggio Kitchen on Shawmut Avenue, where you can find the best selection of wines, cheeses, and prepared foods. Hop over one block to have your lunch picnic-style at Peter’s Park and watch the distinguished dogs of the South End play in the Joe Wex Dog Recreation Space. After lunch, head one block over to Harrison Avenue and spend your afternoon perusing the popular SoWa markets which are held seasonally and check out the various designers located year round in the artist studios, as well as the showrooms and galleries nearby. For dinner, make your way to Myers + Chang, where you won’t be disappointed by their menu inspired by Taiwanese soul food and Southeast Asian street food. Finish off your evening with cocktails and live entertainment at The Beehive. But of course, we know that a truly perfect day in the South End is the one you create on your own. Use our map of popular spots to find your own favorites in this beautiful Boston neighborhood!

*pg. 75

*pg. 75

*pg. 75

H+ 17MAGAZINE

Page 20: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

ModernMuses

H+ 18 MAGAZINE

Page 21: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

ModernMuses

The interiors team at H+A

shows off some eclectic

f inds from some great

South End spots.

photos by Emily Neumann

H+ 19MAGAZINE

Page 22: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

ModernMuses

ModernMuses

H+ 20 MAGAZINE

Page 23: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

PICK: The Ghost Sonata, 2013, ultrachrome ink jet paper on linen, 68 x 58 inches (unique), by Tamar Halpern

FOUND BY H+A DESIGNER: Kate Kelley

GALLERY ASSISTANT: Oliver, the dog

FOUND AT: Steven Zevitas Gallery

WHERE: 450 Harrison Avenue, #47, Boston

“‘The value of art lies in its ability to produce a distinctive aesthetic experience in the viewer —an experience called ‘aesthetic emotion’. This quote by noted art historian, Robert Fry, came to mind when I visited the Steven Zevitas Gallery. Tamar Halpern’s, ‘The Ghost Sonata’ in Steven’s ‘Process Priority’ Exhibition spoke to me because I could appreciate all of the basic principles and elements of design - form, scale, texture, color, value. These principles are all used here to create an ‘experience’ that doesn’t need to be analyzed or interpreted. It’s an emotion.” - Kate

www.stevenzevitasgallery.com

H+ 21MAGAZINE

Page 25: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

PICK: Retail fixtures + styling, salvaged antiques

FOUND BY H+A DESIGNER: Jennifer Clapp

FOUND AT: Bobby From Boston

WHERE: 19 Thayer Street, Boston

“Armed with a passion for antiques and vintage clothes, owner Bobby Garnett created his own South End shop and nearby warehouse. A seasoned retail designer couldn’t have done better. Each section of his store is styled with such ease...the patina of worn leather and wood always gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling. I could stay all afternoon.” - Jennifer

t: 617.423.9299

H+ 23MAGAZINE

Page 26: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 24 MAGAZINE

Page 27: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

PICK: Bubble Chandelier, by Pelle

FOUND AT: Lekker

WHERE: 1313 Washington Street, Boston

“Handmade in Brooklyn by a husband and wife team, the Bubble Chandeliers are airy compositions of luminous glass. A study of simplicity and craft, the series’ organic forms complement the hand wrought accents of cotton and leather cording. The best part? Each piece is fully customizable, allowing designers and shoppers alike the chance to create a piece that complements their unique aesthetic.” - Matthew

www.lekkerhome.com

FOUND BY H+A DESIGNER: Matthew Woodward

H+ 25MAGAZINE

Page 28: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 26 MAGAZINE

Page 29: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

PICK: Friday Chair, by Zeitraum

FOUND BY H+A DESIGNER: Rebecca Rivers

FOUND AT: Casa Design Boston

WHERE: 460 Harrison Avenue, Boston

“Walking into Casa Design the elegant minimalistic aesthetic of this chair designed by the Formstelle design duo, Claudia Small and Jorg Kurschner, for Zeitraum immediately caught my eye. The craftsmanship displayed by the clean cut leather back strap—recalling pattern cuts—resting against the smooth subtle curves of the solid wood frame drew me in. After taking a seat and sinking in to the soft down-filled cushions it was clear to me why this chair is called Friday...put your feet up, sit back, and relax...it’s Friday!” - Rebecca

www.casadesignboston.com

H+ 27MAGAZINE

Page 30: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 28 MAGAZINE

Page 31: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

PICK: Gem Coffee Table

FOUND AT: Debra Folz Studio

WHERE: 450 Harrison Avenue, Boston

“I was immediately drawn to the Gem table series when I laid eyes on it last summer at the Wanted Design show. This small version is the perfect accent table or can be grouped in multiples to create a kaleidoscope of color and form. There is a great balance between hand craftsmanship and machined techniques in Debra’s work that makes it both artisanal and accessible. Looking around at the variety of materials and tools in her studio makes me incredibly eager to see what’s next.” - Christine

www.debrafolz.com

FOUND BY H+A DESIGNER: Christine Rankin Manke

H+ 29MAGAZINE

Page 32: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

INTERIORS DIRECTORY

FEATURED THIS ISSUE:

STEVEN ZEVITAS GALLERY450 Harrison Avenue, #47Boston, MA 02118617.778.5265 x 22www.stevenzevitasgallery.com

LEKKER HOME1313 Washington StreetBoston, MA 02118617.542.6464www.lekkerhome.com

BOBBY FROM BOSTON19 Thayer StreetBoston, MA 02118617.423.9299

CASA DESIGN BOSTON460 Harrison AvenueBoston, MA 02118617.654.2974www.casadesignboston.com

DEBRA FOLZ STUDIO450 Harrison Avenue, #412CBoston, MA 02118516.429.2273www.debrafolz.com

MORE SOUTH END INTERIORS RESOURCES WE LOVE...

DESIGN WITHIN REACH519 Tremont StreetBoston, MA 02116617.451.7801www.dwr.com

BOXX46 Waltham Street, #102Boston, MA 02118www.boxxfurniture.com

M2L543 Albany StreetBoston, MA 02118617.338.0002www.m2l.com

HUDSON12 Union Park StreetBoston, MA 02118617.292.0900www.hudsonboston.com

MARC HALL OBJEKT531 Albany Street, #2Boston, MA 02118617.391.6236www.marchallobjekt.com

H+ 30 MAGAZINE

Page 33: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

www.hacin.com

*Featured in an upcoming Winter issue of Interiors Magazine

Hacin + Associates [architecture + design]

Pho

to ©

Mic

hae

l Sta

varid

is

Page 34: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

CULTURE5000 Moving Parts ExhibitMIT MuseumThis exhibit features modern kinetic sculpturesthat combine ‘art, science, history, and technology.’ The organic movement of some of these pieces is reminiscent of how humans move and is borderline creepy, but spectacular nonetheless! Reactive and systematic movements make this a very original exhibit. [Aimee Epstein]

Book Carving Artist, Julia StrandJulia Strand carves amazing works of art from old books. One notable piece is a four volume book carving entitled “How Things Work”. Check out more at her website:http://hokeystokes.blogpspot.com. [Scott Thomson]

ISGM, Third ThursdaysEvery third Thursday of the month, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum stays up late and hosts an evening of music and cocktails in their spectacular historic courtyard. From DJs to jazz bands, each month they feature a different local musician. They also keep the new wing of the museum open. Makes for a fun Thursday night![Darien Fortier]

All Songs Considered, podcastThis NPR podcast is a great way to hear new music and insight from experts ready to share their opinions on the current music scene. [Jeremy Robertson]

99percentinvisible.org, podcastA very cool design podcast about the details that make a whole (object, building, city, etc.) and often go unnoticed, but create the final product. They are short, witty, and very entertaining. [Eduardo Serrate/Scott Thomson/Matt Arnold]

Stuff You Should Know, podcastA podcast on a vast range of topics, revealing surprising facts about common ideas. Examples from “How Pet Psychics Work” to “Who Owns An Abandonded House?” keep you intrigued and listening. [Matthew Manke & Christine Rankin Manke]

What we’re into right now at H+A

+LOOK

LISTEN

H+ 32 MAGAZINE

Page 35: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

CULTUREThe Art of Critical MakingThis book is a series of essays by academic faculty at Rhode Island School of Design, showing images of selected student and alumni work, discussing RISD’s approach to critical making which involves the hand and mind working to create objects and experiences with real meaning and value. [Matthew Manke]

At Home: A Short History of Private LifeWritten by Bill Bryson, this is a history of domestic life covering topics of the commerce, architecture, technology, and geography that have all shaped homes into what they are today. [Jennifer Clapp]

Garden and GunA magazine focused on travel, gardening, cooking, drinks, and ‘Charlestonian’ Southern U.S. culture. [Jeremy Robertson]

GoldfinchThis book by Donna Tartt is a beautifully written fictional novel about a boy who loses his mother in a tragic accident and the roller coaster of his life that follows. Tartt, often characterized as ‘Dickensian’ (by NPR and the NYTimes), creates animated characters that envelop Theo, the emotionally charged main character, and the highly contrasted worlds he finds himself in. [Aimee Epstein]

There Goes the GayborhoodWritten byAmin Ghaziani this is is an incisive look at the origins and challenges of the unique cultural enclaves created by neighborhoods that have historically drawn the LGBT communities, like San Francisco’s Castro District, Greenwich Village in NYC, and Boston’s South End. [David Tabenken]

READ

H+ 33MAGAZINE

Page 36: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

The Great Beauty(La Grande Bellezza) This Italian film was the winner of the Academy Awards’ Best International Film this year. Beautifully shot in Rome, it tells the story of a socialite that realizes on his 65th birthday that his chosen life, a mix of intellectuals, parties, and strippers, has left him with a taste of nothing, and he starts searching for meaning. The plot doesn’t always feel straight-forward but you’ll be happy to let it take you along for the ride.[Eduardo Serrate]

Jodorowsky’s DuneA fascinating documentary about Jodorowsky’s unmade adaptation of Frank Herbert’s Dune. Jodorowsky had assembled an extraordinary creative team whose work never came to fruition, but nonetheless have influenced the science fiction movie genre. [Joshua Lentz]

Diana Vreeland: The Eye Has to TravelThis is an inspiring documentary on Diana Vreeland’s life and legacy as the influential fashion editor of Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue Magazines. As an editor, her vision was extraordinary, but as a woman, her personality was larger than life. Her playful way of embellishing memories makes for a very colorful story. She revolutionized the fashion industry during her time at Vogue, turning the magazine into an iconic artistic publication.[Emily Neumann]

The Grand Budapest HotelEverything about Wes Anderson films gives you visual electric shocks. Zing!!! There are no subtleties in Anderson’s interiors, costumes, or characters. The vintage vibe in each film is created with such a keen sense of humor and attention to detail. Each movie is an inspiration. Check out his latest creation, The Grand Budapest Hotel. [Jennifer Clapp]

WATCH

H+ 34 MAGAZINE

Page 37: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

SHOP

(CONTINUED) WATCH

Table & Tulip, South EndEntering this flower and plant shop on Shawmut Avenue feels like walking through an urban secret garden. They make beautiful, unconventional arrangements that are perfect housewarming/condowarming gifts and also provide rentable decor for special events. Owner Andrea Halliday and her staff are incredibly knowledgeable, creative, and passionate about their work![Aimee Epstein]

Uniqlo, Metro WestThis Tokyo-based Japanese casual clothing company is known for stylish clothing for men, women, and kids. However, there’s no longer any need to travel all the way to NYC to shop at a Uniqlo store. Uniqlo has finally arrived in Natick, Newton, Peabody, and the North Shore![Matthew Arnold]

Room 68, Jamaica PlainRoom 68 is the newest place to check out for great contemporary design, from furniture, lighting, and objects. And they have an exciting new location in Provincetown![Eduardo Serrate]

Gregory Crewdson: Brief EncountersIf you’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the work of photographer Gregory Crewdson, check out this documentary on Netflix. The budgets for shooting just one of his still images can rival that of Hollywood film productions with sometimes detailed sets, and large crews on location. His surreal and elaborate portraits of small-town American life are beautifully executed and incredibly haunting. A must-see for any lover of image-crafting.[Emily Neumann]

H+ 35MAGAZINE

Page 38: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Cafe Madeleine, South EndA lot of Bostonians have been anxiously waiting for this cafe to open on Columbus Ave. Before coming to Cafe Madeleine, the pastry chef honed his skills at PB Boulangerie & Bistro in Wellfleet, which is a must for any French foodie.[Eduardo Serrate]

Drink, Fort Point, BostonIt’s not always available or listed on the menu, but the cheeseburger at Drink is probably the best burger ever, anywhere. Fresh ingredients, perfectly seasoned and so juicy that you may end up wearing more of it than you eat... It’s definitely worth the messy fingers and goes well with one of their aged (in-house) tequila drinks. [Russell Higgins]

Alden and Harlow, Harvard SquareAlden and Harlow was recently voted one of the best restaurants in the country. Located in the iconic Casablanca space in Harvard Square, the restaurant serves gourmet American fare. Try the sweet corn gnocchi, chicken fried local rabbit, the grilled cauliflower, crispy berkshire porky belly, and finish the meal with the vanilla & buttermilk cheesecake. It is amazing![Matthew Arnold]

Bronwyn, Union SquareNestled in the heart of Union Square is thisphenomenal German/Eastern European restaurant. Bronwyn’s menu is variations of meat, cabbage, potatoes, beer and more beer (sold in liters no less!) but don’t judge this based on your mother’s overcooked St. Patrick’s Day corned beef and cabbage. Their flavors are clean and fresh. The wurst is made from scratch. They use local ingredients and most items are made in-house, including the bretzel which comes to your table piping hot with a side of their house-made mustard. You’ll never have leave hungry. [Russell Higgins]

Beat Hotel, Harvard SquareBeat Hotel is the new sister restaurant of The Beehive, also delivering a bohemian, underground vibe with live music every night. The food is cozy and filling (re: short rib lasagna) and they have artisanal wine on tap. Try the American Breed cocktail with whiskey and elderflower liquor - it will knock your socks off![Aimee Epstein]

EAT (restaurants)

H+ 36 MAGAZINE

Page 39: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Zo’s, food truckThe best gyro - hands down - in the city of Boston. You have to get ‘the original’ which is a classic lamb gyro. www.zoboston.com@Zo_Bostonwww.facebook.com/zogoodfood[Matthew Manke]

The Bacon Truck, food truckWho doesn’t love bacon? Try the turkey, avoca-do, and bacon sandwich, but truly, everything on the menu is phenomenal. [email protected]/BaconTruckBOS[Matthew Manke]

Dorado, food truckThis food truck in Brookline has great fish tacos! There’s also a permanent kitchen for carry-out food in Brookline on Harvard Street. [email protected]/doradotacos[Jeremy Robertson]

Tenoch, food truckThis Mexican food truck can be found in the SOWA Market, and the mobile kitchen has permanent homes located at restaurants of the same name in Medford and in the North End. Both the food truck and restaurants are excellent. www.tenochmexican.com@TenochMexican[David Tabenken]

Fresh Truck, food truckStarted by Northeastern University graduates, the Fresh Truck offers fresh fruits and vegeta-bles that are affordable and accessible to everyone in Boston. [email protected]/thefreshtruck[Darien Fortier]

For more on Boston’s Food Trucks check out the city’s website listing daily scheduling and location information for all of the licensed trucks serving the city:

http://www.cityofboston.gov/foodtrucks

(food trucks) EAT

H+ 37MAGAZINE

Page 40: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Chateau Marmont, Los AngelesThis is a chic hotel in Los Angeles, CA which one could say epitomizes un-design, as they have basically kept the rooms as they have been since its heyday as a Hollywood star hot spot in the 20’s-50’s. It’s still known as a go-to spot for A-list celebrities - Lindsay Lohan was banned after not paying her $40K tab![Rebecca Rivers]

Hotel Chocolat, St. LuciaThis foodie haven boutique hotel in the Ca-ribbean is a swanky getaway. Set on a cacao plantation, all food and spa treatments infuse this homegrown superfood, though never letting it become overpowering. The open air ‘cabin’ rooms give the feeling of luxury camping. It’s a great vacation spot for chocolate lovers looking to experience the rain forest climate in a luxurious way. [Aimee Epstein]

Sakonnet Vineyard, Little ComptonSakonnet Vineyard in Little Compton, Rhode Island is a great weekend day trip from Boston. There are daily wine tastings and vineyard tours, and the cafe offers farm-to-table dishes. The wine is great, the scenery is beautiful, and the vineyard is also dog friendly![Christine Rankin Manke]

Hix Island House, Puerto RicoThe Hix Island House, in the hills of Vieques, is a collection of sustainable luxury lofts that blur the boundary between nature and the built environ-ment. Made of concrete, with no windows, A/C, and limited lighting and hot water, the lofts offer a unique high-end but ‘roughing-it’ stay, but with spectacular views and the opportunity to show-er outside with the geckos under the stars.[Russell Higgins]

Waterfire, Providence, RIAttending Waterfire in Providence is a great way to spend a Saturday in the Fall. The lighting of nearly 100 bonfires takes place on the rivers that pass through downtown and connect a stretch of public urban spaces and parks. Bring a picnic blanket and find a spot to sit, or stroll along the river and enjoy the music, installations and performances.[Darien Fortier]

EXPLORE

H+ 38 MAGAZINE

Page 41: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Habits of Mind“As my son, Max, prepares for high school, we get letters from the school to describe the curriculum. One included the ‘habits of mind’ that the mathematics department wishes to instill. It struck me that these are great habits for designers as well. . . ”[Scott Thomson]

1. Make sense of the problems and persevere in solving them

2. Reason abstractly and quantitatively

3. Construct viable arguments and critique the reasoning of others

4. Model with Mathematics

5. Use appropriate tools strategically

6. Attend to precision

7. Look for and make use of structure .

8. Find and analyze patterns

THINK

+

(CONTINUED) EXPLORELecco, ItalyLecco is a small town in north Italy’s lakes region about 45 minutes north of Milan, nestled into the base of the Alps. Lecco is known to be Italy’s vacation land, but in 2014 it was the host to 2 of the largest international Ultimate Frisbee tournaments, The World Ultimate Club Championships and World Junior Ultimate Championships![Sean Farrell]

H+ 39MAGAZINE

Page 42: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

“It would have been a shame to serve food with this much personality in a room without one. Hacin + Associates gave us all that and then some.” -Christopher Myers

YUM ME. YUM YOU.

Page 43: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

“It would have been a shame to serve food with this much personality in a room without one. Hacin + Associates gave us all that and then some.” -Christopher Myers

YUM ME. YUM YOU.

MAMA CHANG’S PORK AND CHIVE DUMPLINGS

6-8 large napa cabbage leaves½1 bunch garlic chives1 pound ground pork1 tablespoon chopped fresh ginger2 teaspoons sesame oil3 tablespoons soy sauceround dumpling wrappers2-3 tablespoons cooking oil Slice the cabbage thinly, place in a large bowl and salt generously with about 1-2 tablespoons of kosher salt. Let sit for 10 minutes. Mince garlic chives. Mix to-gether pork, ginger, garlic chives, sesame oil, and soy sauce. Squeeze cabbage to take out all of the wa-ter, add to pork mixture and mix well. Fold and pleat dumplings (dumplings may be made in advance and frozen tightly wrapped). To cook dumplings, place oil in a large flat skillet and heat on high. Add dumplings and immediately turn down to medium low. Cook, checking bottoms of dumplings, until golden brown. Add about ¼ cup wa-ter to pan and cover immediately (be careful as the water will can sputtering and steaming). Let cook for a few minutes and add another ¼ cup of water when the water evaporates. Cover and cook again. Add one final ¼ cup of water and cover and cook again. Dumplings are done when the water totally evapo-rates and the bottoms are brown and crispy. Serve with dumpling sauce. DUMPLING SAUCE

1/2 cup soy sauce1 tablespoon black Chiangking vinegar2 teaspoons sriracha chili sauce2 teaspoons sesame oilsome rough chopped ginger Mix all together, may be made in advance.

+MYERS CHANGa recipe from

617.542.5200 | 1145 Washington St, Boston, MA 02118 | myersandchang.com

Page 45: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Boston Considered

Can we better understand the character of a city by observing its physical form?

Writer David Hacin | Photographer Bruce Martin

*Illustrated by the architectural photography of Bruce Martin

New York’s well-organized skyline can be seen as the heroic, vertical expression of efficient commerce; Washington, DC as a city of symbols with grand boulevards linking great monuments to leaders and battles long since passed into history. By contrast, Boston is a city of fabric, stitched together like a complex three-dimensional quilt. It is neither the realization of a great vision, such as Daniel Burnham’s plan for Chicago, nor the physical manifestation of our national westward expansion, relentlessly crossing any and all opposing topography, as reflected in the San Francisco grid. Rather, Boston is a democratic and distinctly non-hierarchical patchwork of neighborhoods and small squares that were created organically over hundreds of years by countless disconnected visionaries who each brought new ideas about how to remake and reorganize its colonial DNA. Generally elegant and discrete, its monuments rise above streets and neighborhoods that are striking in their form and rhythm. What’s more, the city has been consistently transformed through an unprecedented history of ‘land-making’ and feats of remarkable civil and social engineering. It may be a cliché to describe Boston as both old and new, but so it is, in ways that are unique to its American story.

Opposite page: Washington Street in Boston, with a view of H+A project, the Lafayette Lofts, at 88 Kingston Street, with its trademark Fleur de Lis.

H+ 43MAGAZINE

Page 46: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Boston has been described as historic

and European, but what does that

really mean?

Boston’s identity is not easily catalogued or described, nor can its essence be captured by a couple of iconic photographs. It has been described as historic and European, but what does that really mean? Like many European capitals, it offers a nonlinear system of streets and footpaths as well as the surprise of not knowing what’s just around the corner. To pedestrians, some of these mysteries can be confusing, but Boston is also compact and walk-able enough to grow easily familiar. With its clear boundaries and striking moments of visual orientation -- glistening domes, poignant steeples, vibrant commercial squares, and a citizenry that treasures and preserves its history -- it can feel very European, indeed. Though undamaged by the tragedy and random destruction of great wars, Boston’s cityscape has survived successive waves of economic development that were at times extremely violent. The West End, Scollay Square, the Opera House -- they are all gone, and with them, the way of life they fostered. Yet, despite the era of urban renewal and so-called slum clearance, Boston, like most European cities, has in large part retained its historic fabric. And, in a sense, one must really ‘wear’ that fabric to understand it.

Boston encompasses most of the elements that make up the history of the American urban storyline. There is the town Common; the winding colonial streets of the North End; the English-inspired squares of the South End; the Parisian Boulevards of the Back Bay; the City Beautiful institutions along the Olmsted-designed Fens; the neo-Corbusian West End; the 1960s towers and plazas; ‘New Urbanist’ neighborhoods of affordable housing; and, most recently, the emergence of the Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, a parkway built above a boldly reconceived highway

”H+ 44 MAGAZINE

Page 47: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

”A sidewalk view of rowhouses

in Boston’s historic South End neighborhood.

H+ 45MAGAZINE

Page 48: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Boston encompasses most of the elements that make up the history of the American urban storyline...

H+ 46 MAGAZINE

Page 49: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

...They are all here, jostling for our

attention in that typically Yankee

way.‘don’t look at me’

”H+ 47MAGAZINE

Page 50: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

The iconic Union Oyster House sits among historic Boston structures with modern skyscrapers in the distance.

H+ 48 MAGAZINE

Page 51: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

infrastructure called simply, the Big Dig. They are all here, jostling for our attention in that typically Yankee ‘don’t look at me’ way. Boston is not a showy city but I would venture that it offers more urban texture within its small footprint than most typical grid cities many times its size. Towers that would fall away into anonymous canyons of long avenues instead turn toward one another in a kind of Titan’s dance against the skyline, responding to the tight fit of the irregular streets below; neighborhoods are defined by the character and edges of their street patterns; a prevalence of brick and masonry adds an air of permanence to even modest structures. With a few notable exceptions, the cityscape effortlessly absorbs each of these individual architectural styles and works of utopian planning into a whole that greatly supersedes its parts.

At the level of urban planning, Boston could be a case study from Colin Rowe and Fred Koetter’s classic text, Collage City, in which individual cities are viewed as repositories for multiple utopian visions, each informing the other while contributing to a larger multivalent view. Similarly, the triple-deckers, bow fronts, and limestone mansions -- each exquisite -- create blocks of incredible visual interest and scale that few single buildings can achieve on their own.

As a result of the deep layers and nuanced textures that it presents, Boston is a difficult city to capture in photographs. These days, it seems that many new American cities look much more architecturally exciting in their postcard views than they do when one experiences them in person, especially on foot. Iconic towers that look enticing on your screensaver can often land disharmoniously on actual streets. Similarly, colorful plazas, garages, and parking lots can photograph beautifully, while really feeling devoid of life or character. In many of these cities, only

A Boston street can appear in a few frames of a movie and be instantly recognizable.

”H+ 49MAGAZINE

Page 52: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

isolated districts or buildings offer the scale and variety that make a place worth exploring or understanding. In short, their architectural charisma is largely superficial. To make up for this, they require bold and splashy photographic presentation that works almost like a product logo, shouting ‘I’m an important place, so notice me’.

As Bruce Martin’s work so elegantly describes and explains: Not so, Boston.

A Boston street can appear in a few frames of a movie and be instantly recognizable. The views of Back Bay from across the Charles or of downtown from the harbor are certainly iconic and metaphorically connect the city to its waterfront roots. In thinking about the skyline, the distinguished Boston architecture critic, Robert Campbell, has elegantly described the ‘dorsal fin’ of towers that moves along the so-called high spine of skyscrapers linking the Back Bay with the Financial District. But these panoramic views do not begin to describe the experience of moving through and between the intimately entangled streets. Here, vast preserves of the old are thickly layered with the constantly accumulating new that slowly, year by year, joins their ranks. Although many will argue the point, I maintain that no single era or architectural style overpowers Boston, although each, in

Although many will argue the point,

I maintain that no single era or

architectural style overpowers Boston,

though each, in its own way, may try.

H+ 50 MAGAZINE

Page 53: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

FP3 condominiums (designed by Hacin + Associates) in Boston’s

Fort Pointneighborhood.

H+ 51MAGAZINE

Page 54: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Opposite page:

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, case

democritum cum ex, duo ex nibh

alterum. Eam suas alia decore cu, ad

quo delenit partiendo.

Left: The intersection of Washington and East Berkeley Streets in the South End, where Project Place - designed by H+A - is located.

Inset: The intersection in the late 1970’s when the orange line was still an elevated railway.

H+ 52 MAGAZINE

Page 55: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

its own way, may try. The city is a perpetual timeline first made up of stone, brick, and concrete and now composed of metal and glass. It documents how Bostonians live, work, and socialize and can be read like a history book in chapters or, as I prefer, with its pages shuffled, showing the heavy cut stone of the old Custom House against the slick glass veneers of the Financial District’s towers. If you look carefully, these contrasts tell us more about how times and technologies have changed than any one building ever could. Today, new building projects tell us that 21st Century Boston is evolving again, and may no longer be defined chiefly by the differences between its communities, but rather by the careful exploration of interconnectivity as a new source for the city’s strength.

On a personal note, I have lived and practiced in Boston’s South End for almost 25 years, watching a neighborhood of great character renew itself. Home to charming urban squares and the largest collection of Victorian brick bow and bay front townhouses in the country, what became the South End Historic Landmark District had, by mid century, fallen into disrepair and was surrounded by the blight of highways and 19th Century industrial districts cleared for urban renewal. Bruce’s photographs capture the beauty of the District but also document the desolation left in the wake of slum clearance projects that fortunately lacked the funding to be completed. These photographs are not just works of art but important parts of our historical record and they remind us how quickly a city can change. Today, these areas have undergone a dramatic transformation. New buildings of contrasting style line Washington Street, recalling its original grandeur and importance. Its parks are bustling with Little League, tai chi groups, strollers, and dogs. In short, the neighborhood is alive again.

This ebb and flow of development, design, and renewal is the force that makes Boston the most historic of American cities. It has not been frozen in time. There are maps, etchings, watercolors, and drawings to tell its story, but for me, it is photography that brings the city’s history to life. Bruce Martin’s eye is striking. It captures the details, compositions, and physical relationships that we move past every day without noticing. He sees Boston for the unique place that it is, was, and inevitably will become. Pay close attention and you will be rewarded. +

[This essay is from a forthcoming book of photography by Bruce Martin]For more, visit www.brucetmartin.com/Architecture/Boston-Cityscape/

H+ 53MAGAZINE

Page 56: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

www.hacin.com

Pho

to ©

Mic

hae

l Sta

varid

is

“One year later and I still admire the beauty and details of the space. It is truly a special place to spend time.” Residential Client

Page 58: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

It has always seemed to me that you can learn a lot about the way someone sees the world and what they value by having a look at what they choose to photograph when there is not necessarily any intended audience at the moment of capture. Many people choose to create images of moments, landscapes, objects, other people, or even of themselves. Of course, David Hacin is an architect, so perusing his photographic work, many architectural images were to be found. However, what sparked my interest in the images in this essay and many others I found in David’s collection was a curiosity for the unusual. A lover of classic films, it is not at all surprising that the spaces David chooses to frame in these photographs have a rather cinematic quality—a curious interest that draws you in and compels you to sit and wait for the moment to happen.

a p

hoto

gra

phi

c es

say

Fo

cu

s Photos by David Hacin Intro by Emily Neumann

H+ 56 MAGAZINE

Page 59: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

Photos by David Hacin Intro by Emily Neumann

H+ 57MAGAZINE

Page 60: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 58 MAGAZINE

Page 61: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 59MAGAZINE

Page 62: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 60 MAGAZINE

Page 63: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 61MAGAZINE

Page 64: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 62 MAGAZINE

Page 65: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 63MAGAZINE

Page 66: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 64 MAGAZINE

Page 67: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 65MAGAZINE

Page 68: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 66 MAGAZINE

Page 69: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

H+ 67MAGAZINE

Page 70: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

DISTRICT HALL, 75 NORTHERN AVE, BOSTON, MA | 617.982.7230 | WEEKDAYS 7am-5pm, WEEKENDS Closed

Page 72: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

DIALOGUE

Suzanne Kenney of Project Place Gatehouse

Interview by David Tabenken, AIA Photography by Emily Neumann

H+A’s David Tabenken talks with Suzanne Kenney, Executive Director of Project Place, about the organization, their H+A designed building, and the South End neighborhood in which they both live and work.

H+ 70 MAGAZINE

Page 73: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

DT: Tell us about Project Place, the organiza-tion’s history in the South End, and its mission.

Project Place was started in the South End almost five decades ago by a “bunch of well-meaning hippies” and two social workers from Boston University who wanted to address the issue of young people on the street, kids who had run away from home or who were struggling with drugs and alcohol and really needed a safe place to land and to get their life together. By the mid-80’s, with services in place for these young people, Project Place recognized there was a burgeoning adult home-less population who, like many of the youths we were serving, were on the streets abusing drugs and alcohol. We have always been committed to working with in-dividuals who have struggled with addiction, and when people cross our threshold, they have committed to making some life change and hoping that someone can help them find a job and find housing. For almost 40 years, we were located on Rutland Street, in a 12,000 square foot 1800’s row house that was given to us dirt-cheap by a former supporter. As Project Place grew, we recognized the limitations of that building and wanted to build a new facility that gave us commercial and physical space to do what we do well—running small businesses and teaching classes to impart new skills that people can use and that transfer to a job. We also want-ed to provide permanent housing. We moved to our cur-rent location on Washing-ton Street in 2007, and with a wonderful new building that was built by Con-sigli Construction and of course designed by Hacin + Associates, we fulfilled a promise to our clients to serve more people and put them to work in our small businesses. We’ve gone from serving 500 people back in 2007 to serving 1500 last year—all with a very efficient staff of 25. Our mission is to create a place of hope and op-portunity for low income and homeless individuals so that they can obtain the education, the skills, and the re-sources to get a job and get housed.

DT: When working on the design of the building, we discovered that its site was the location of Boston’s original city gate and came up with the name Gatehouse. What does this prominent cor-ner and its history mean to Project Place?

At first I was concerned that the historic significance of the site and its visibility meant more cost, because all eyes were going to be on this building. The public approvals process was really new to me, and I relied on both you and David Hacin to help work through the design with the community and to keep our costs in line with our budget. I think the symbolism of being a site where immi-grants first arrived from foreign lands with the hope that life was going to be different is very significant to what we do here today, helping people change their lives for the better. The design of the building is very clever with its two corner towers of glass lit up at night as beacons, symbolic of hope for folks whose lives are in disarray or in crisis. I do often share that history of the site, partic-ularly when I take funders around the building, and it is interesting to see what connections people make be-tween the historic city gate, the name Gatehouse, and our mission. I’m pleased with the visibility that this location brings to us.

DT: Does increased visibility mean new opportu-nities for fundraising?

Though we were already in the neighborhood for de-cades doing great things to support the men and wom-

en who walked through our doors, I think this building really established us in the community—there’s just such visibility with a building that’s six stories high at the corner of a major intersection, with a wonderful restau-rant tenant like Myers + Chang. By the way, some-times I’m there five times

a week—it’s never hard to convince colleagues to meet me for lunch at Myers + Chang! In terms of our funders, when it became clear to me that many people were giving us money very specifi-cally to build a building, we really tried to engage them in what was going on inside the building. It became my task, along with our Director of Development, and our Board, to make sure that people were invited in—we had open houses and tours, and people were very impressed with what was going on here. It did change the amount of dollars that we received from the com-munity–we certainly had to take advantage of people’s interest in supporting the building to then support our programming. This was an $11 million project—about

“I think the symbolism of being a site where immigrants first arrived from foreign lands with the hope that life was going to be different is very significant to what we do here today, helping people change their lives for the better. ”

H+ 71MAGAZINE

Page 74: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

half was public funding due to the housing component, and the other half was owner’s equity and private fund-ing. Making that leap into a new space has afforded us increased opportunities for fundraising.

DT: What are the business enterprises that Proj-ect Place currently runs, and has this program-ming grown since moving to this building in 2007?

We started our first social enterprise called Project Pepsi back in 1991, and we now have three businesses. Proj-ect Pepsi is a third party vendor to Pepsi-Cola, employ-ing about 10-14 people a year in what’s called transitional employment. They work with us for about 6 months and they get a paycheck--real work for real pay. They also attend classes in the afternoon when their shift is over, and they have a case manager to help them get housing and get that permanent job. Clean Corners Bright Hopes began as a public maintenance program, but expanded to include janitorial work when we moved to this building, and now employs 40-50 people a year. Home Plate is a food catering business, which includes serving as “lunch ladies” for a couple of nonprofits in the community and delivering sandwiches on a daily basis. If you’re having a lunch event, we’re happy to do your catering! In addition, we’re about to start a fourth specifically tar-geting women who are living with their children in shelters. We have been meeting with a group of women who work or volunteer in the community for over a year now to plan this new business. Working with young women who have not worked before and have children is challenging be-cause they’re so afraid to lose public assistance for a low paying job that won’t support their family. This enterprise will be a training opportunity where they’ll get the skills they need to move on to a higher paying job. Prior to moving to our new building in 2007, we em-ployed about 40 people a year in these enterprises, and

last year it was 94. So we’ve seen quite an increase—the building has allowed us to meet our mission to serve more people in need with this expanded programming. We’re very excited about this growth. When we moved into this building, we were a $1.4 million agency opera-tionally. We’re now a $4 million agency.

DT: The new building provided 14 single room oc-cupancy apartments, and H+A worked with 14 in-terior designers who donated time and resources to design and fit-out each of the apartments. How have these units held up? I’m incredibly impressed that the tenants have maintained them so well. Because these are studio apartments, the housing is transitional, so we’ve had turnover. The hope is that people will move on as they obtain the means through job attainment and get stabilized for whatever their issues are. The expectation is that people stay about 18 months to two years, though residents are welcome to stay as long as they like, as long as they’re paying the rent and being respectful of others. We’ve found that generally the units are left clean, there’s very little repair other than nor-mal wear and tear, and if you walked into any unit today, I think you would largely see evidence of the design work that originally happened seven years ago. One of our board members, Heather Wells, was one of the 14 original interior designers, and made a commit-ment to helping us maintain the units with each turnover. Her colleague Barry DeCosta, who is also co-chair for our annual fundraising brunch, comes in with the re-sources that Heather provides and freshens up the room, replaces the linens, pots and pans, flatware, and such. I think there’s been very little painting that’s had to be done, maybe a chair here and there has had to be replaced, but Heather and Barry take care of that for us—their efforts have been amazing!

H+ 72 MAGAZINE

Page 75: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

DT: The South End has changed a lot over the years, and currently there’s significant devel-opment happening nearby. How will this impact Project Place and how do you engage with the community?

Given that there are two other nonprofits within a block of here—Pine Street Inn and More Than Words--I’m sure we’re all going to call dibs on the new folks that are mov-ing in to the new developments going up nearby. Do I see potential donors? Sure, but relationships will be have to be cultivated, vol-unteers sought, and hope-fully they’ll care about what we’re doing and will invest some dollars to support us. I am excited that there will be new retail space in the neighborhood, and we’ve already spoken to Whole Foods about hiring our graduates. In terms of engaging with our neighbors, we give back to the community by lending our commons space for free to a dozen nonprofits and civic groups such as the Eight Streets and Old Dover Neighborhood Associations, the Boston Natural Area Networks, and the Boston Rede-velopment Authority. We’ve also hosted a nonprofit called And Still We Rise, a theatrical group that works with men and women who’ve been in prison and are learning to tell their stories through performance. It’s an incredible group, and in fact many of our graduates participate.

DT: You live on Cape Cod and work In Boston, and I know you have a pied-a-terre in the South End. When you started spending more time here during the week, rather than going home to the

Cape, did you feel like you were engaging with the neighborhood differently?

I “time-share” with my best friend, so on Wednesday and Thursday it’s mine, and on Monday and Tuesday it’s hers. Living in the South End, the place that I have been work-ing for about 40 years, I bump into people I know—and the first thing I realized was that I needed “going to get milk clothes”! I never gave that any thought before—when I’m at the dump in Brewster, people look just like me, in their

ratty jeans and their t-shirts, but here, when I run out of the house to get a quart of milk, I have to put my nice clothes back on! I run into people all the time. I have board mem-bers who live in the South End, and some of them

have served for 15 or 20 years, so we’ve become good friends. It’s fun to hear “hey Suzanne” and bump into them on the street. It’s like there’s eyes everywhere. You know that. You live and work in the South End! So I feel more connected here than I do in Brewster, although I love liv-ing on the Cape.

DT: Thank you for speaking to us, Suzanne!

Well thank you guys for caring about what we do here.

“I think the design is very clever with its two corner towers of glass lit up at night as a beacon, symbolic of hope for folks whose lives are in disarray or in crisis. ”

DIALOGUE

+

For more information about Project Place and to donate, please refer to their website: www.projectplace.org

H+ 73MAGAZINE

Page 76: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014
Page 77: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

SOUTH END EXPERIENCES

1. A Summer Rooftop BarbecueHave a summer drink overlooking the beautiful neighborhood around you, and enjoy the view of Boston’s iconic Back Bay skyline. Be sure to search

for an invitation to a South End ‘stoop’ gathering while you’re at it.

2. SOWA MarketHave a Sunday stroll through the SOWA Market. Eat at one of the food trucks,

buy a t-shirt, and then stroll into one of the many adjacent art galleries.

3. First Fridays and South End Open StudiosEnjoy browsing local galleries and artists’ studios open to the public, and

don’t miss the Mills Gallery at the Boston Center for the Arts and the Laconia Gallery—two of Boston’s very few not-for-profit galleries.

4. Wally’s Jazz ClubA famous South End institution that has consistently played live jazz

for decades. Go, have an old-fashioned, and listen to seasoned jazz musicians play next to Berklee students.

5. Cathedral of the Holy CrossCathedral of the Holy Cross is the mother church of Boston’s Roman Catholic

Archdiocese. Despite the incomplete spires on the exterior, the cathedral has a grand Gothic interior that will remind you of being in Europe.

6. The Boston Pride ParadeCelebrate with the LGBT community and have fun watching

politicians and drag queens compete for attention at the most colorful event of the year in the South End.

7. The Washington Gateway NeckTies FundraiserFoodies flock to this fun annual fundraiser which includes goodies from the area’s best and brightest eateries, raising money for this organization that

works to preserve the economic vitality of the South End.

8. A Night at the TheaterCheck out one of the BCA’s resident theater companies including the 2nd stage of the acclaimed Huntington Theater Company where you can catch world class

productions, including some incredible original premieres.

9. The Joe Wex Dog Recreation SpaceYou’ve never seen happier dogs than the ones playing at the

Joe Wex Dog Recreation Space at Peter’s Park.

10. Sunday Brunch + Shop.......but be sure to make reservations!

10the

H+ 75MAGAZINE

Page 78: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

THIS PAGEView from inside

Laconia Loft West© Michael Stavaridis

BACK COVERLaconia Lofts

© Bruce Martin

+

Page 80: H+ Magazine  |  No. 1  |  Fall-Winter 2014

+H+ MAGAZINE IS CREATED, DESIGNED, AND PUBLISHED BYARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN FIRM, HACIN + ASSOCIATES112 SHAWMUT AVENUE, STUDIO 5A, BOSTON, MA 021 18www.hacin.com | [email protected] | 617.426.0077

facebook.com/HacinAssociates @HacinAssociates