Commendation Project name: North Meadow on the Greenway
Project overview: North Meadow is a site of constant reinvention. Once open water within the Charles River Estuary, then dammed to become Mill Pond, it was eventually filled as part of Boston’s 19th-century downtown development. More recently, the site was overshadowed by the elevated I-93 highway, until the Big Dig buried the interstate, creating the Central Artery/Tunnel and allowing the realization of a new urban park.
The site’s evolution, a strong public engagement process, and significant technical constraints (being directly over the tunnel) drove the design process, which looks to maximize nature, showcase the site’s history, and offer respite and serenity in the busiest of urban areas.
The resulting park is a tribute to the Charles River’s estuarine ecology, in its identity, planting, and atmosphere. The design concept “This Was Once a Pond” abstracts the historic water’s edge into a place of tranquility. Native meadow plantings and a boardwalk provide connection to a larger north-south park corridor while framing the iconic Boston Custom House Tower. Raised beds and gentle landforms provide for a thriving landscape and create a sound barrier from passing traffic. Playful signage draws visitors’ attention to unique aspects of the site and highlight its connection to the entire park system.
North Meadow delivers a small but mighty ecosystem offering seasonal change, habitat value, and a respite for people. Working with a premier client, this space will be stewarded for generations to come as a verdant oasis on a site of constant change in Downtown Boston.
Project location: Boston, Massachusetts
Firm name: ASK+ with Unknown Studio
Architect of Record: ASK+
Completion: 2022
Client: The Greenway Conservancy, Boston Planning and Development Agency,
Massachusetts Department of Transportation
Jury comments: This project realizes an incredible oasis between several converging streets, on a severely challenged site. It is a calming foreground to iconic city views in every direction. It provides a sense of tranquility, literally in the middle of multiple intersections, and is fully accessible. The project has a sense and respect for history, reusing unearthed granite from 19th-century seawalls from below the site. The jury appreciated the interactive and collaborative design process.
Images/Photographer(s): Jane Messinger General Contractor: NELM Corp. Construction Project or Construction Manager: Josh Burgel, Lemon Brooke Civil Engineer: Sara White, PE, Tetra Tech Structural: Thomas Moorhoff, PE, SE, Tetra Tech Electrical: Dennis Smith, Tetra Tech Lighting: Lukas Sturm, Lumen Studio Co-Author Landscape Architecture, Community Engagement: () Unknown Studio (Claire Agre) Graphics and Wayfinding: Hovercraft Studio (Zack Teachout, Derek Leach) Soils: Pine & Swallow (Mike Agonis)
