We had friends from New York and Philadelphia visit this weekend. It was me plus 5 architects so naturally, we toured Boston’s finest buildings. We started off with a jaunt to Harvard Square to knock a few off our list and to also grab the T.
Our first stop was the Carpenter Center (Architect:Le Corbusier) at Harvard.
[Photo taken by Mike of Architectural Fallout]
[Photo taken by Mike of Architectural Fallout]
We also took another look at the controversial Strata Center (Architect: Frank Gehry). This time, from a few different angles.
[Photo taken by Mike of Architectural Fallout]
We revisited Simmons Hall (Architect: Steven Holl), which has also become a staple on our architectural tours.
[Photo taken by Mike of Architectural Fallout]
Our next stop made me realize the value in traveling with new groups of people. Background and interests tend to influence not only the paths you take, but the perspectives from which you view each adventure.
I never would have come across my favorite building on the tour had I not been traveling with a pack of architects. The MIT Chapel (Architect: Eliel Saarinen)* is a small, simple structure surrounded by a vast MIT campus.
[Photo taken by Mike of Architectural Fallout]
From the outside, it is a tiny brick cylinder with a hallway that juts off and connects to another building. Inside, the brick walls undulate from the center all the way to the entrance. Thin metal columns rain down from the opening on the roof and little plates reflect the light.
[Photo taken by Mike of Architectural Fallout]
As you can see by the hidden opening separating the brick wall and the wood panels, as closed in as the chapel was, it used a lot of natural light.
After getting as much out of the Cambridge area as we could, we took the T to Park Street, got a good look at Boston Common and the State House and then wandered over to Government Center to review the allegedly ugly Boston City Hall for ourselves.
[Photo courtesy of Blast Magazine]
The ICA was also on top of our list, so we proceeded through Faneuil Hall, onto Atlantic Ave and then over to South Boston to see the building and believe it or not, the exhibit inside.
The Shepard Fairey exhibit was very cool. If you are in Boston, you may have seen his Andre the Giant Artwork placed throughout the city. I would definitely recommend checking out this exhibit. The great news is that the ICA is free from 5 to 9 pm every Thursday for Target Free Thursday Nights.
After we came back to our apartment on Saturday, we calculated our mileage using Google maps and realized that in total, we walked almost 8 miles the entire day. Mike and I even walked away with a bit of a sunburn – but I’d say it was worth it.
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*Correction: Per Pierce‘s comment below – the MIT chapel is by Eliel’s son Eero.
incredible photos, susan. thank you!
jessievs last blog post..Learn, Laugh & Help Change the World
I always love it when you share unusual architectural structures. You’re right, the MIT chapel is especially beautiful.
And if Frank Gehry’s buildings didn’t already look like they have all sorts of funky angles!
Thanks for sharing…and thank Mike for taking some great photos.
Dominiques last blog post..Photo Friday
I love the photos! And God help me if City Hall Plaza isn’t the ugliest building in the world, as much as I love it.
Lizs last blog post..The Eternal Question
Glad they enjoyed themselves! Boston does have some unique buildings (and I know a few architects who LOVE City Hall Plaza as an example of its style). The AIA makes a great guidebook to Boston buildings (http://www.amazon.com/AIA-Guide-Boston-3rd-Neighborhoods/dp/0762743379)
Pams last blog post..Brie and Apple Sandwich
one small correction, the mit chapel was actually by Eliel’s son Eero.
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