Gold Winner of the Architecture & Design Collection Awards 2024

Grafting Memory Onto Brutalism Relic

Architecture
Renovation and Restoration
Concept
Professional Category

Architect / Designer:

Wentao Guo, Sia Chen

Design Team:

Wentao Guo, Sia Chen

Copyright:

Wentao Guo, Sia Chen

Country:

United States

Historically a culturally diverse area, the West End of Boston was gradually uprooted by monolithic civic buildings during mid-20th century. Charles F. Hurley Building by Paul Rudolph is such a concrete giant confronting surrounding neighborhood. However, considering the negative environmental impact on demolition and its unique architectural value witnessing gentrification, our proposal grafts porous towers onto existing structure, grows from Rudolph’s curvy formal expression in relation to natural element, and erodes the original defensive ground floor. A mixed program of affordable housing, rental apartment, history museum, library and urban archive relinked local residents to transportation, education and communication. Leveraging the existing landscape, the new urban incubator links people from regional transportation center and neighborhoods through a smooth threshold, a gentle green roof, and inviting new entrances.

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