“The building has recently been gutted in preparation for a total reconstruction of the interior. Built as a fifteen thousand square foot single-family residence in 1865, it was one of the grandest houses in Boston. It is situated in the Back Bay Architectural District, so any changes to the exterior of the building have, since 1966, been regulated by a very active Historical Commission, a city government agency.”

Guests will be out exploring the city during the day hours and some of the program such as the dining plaza, music amphitheatre, and reading room will be located out in the city’s urban fabric to reiterate the idea of seeing and experiencing Boston, while also having these additional amenities right at their finger tips. Morning and night amenities such as a cafe and a bar will be included within building on the open platform areas to allow guests to relax and also share experiences from their exploration during the day.

Design elements such as the external brick structural walls, the existing steel beam supports, and the walnut panelling from three of the original 1885 rooms will be incorporated into the new design. Other materials will be brought in such as glass, satin mirrors, and perforated metal catwalks for visual dynamism of the space,

while also allowing the guests to experience the historical integrity of the building and capture the essence of “Boston Brahmin” with a modern, more democratic twist.

 

This abstracted version of ornament was used in the overall design in places such as the circulation, i.e. catwalks and stairs, but also the remaining and added steel structure.