Placemaking Seminar Series 2016
Programs take place at the BSA Space, 290 Congress Street in Boston, usually on the 4th Monday of the month from 6-8pm. They are free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served. To learn more about specific programs and to register visit the Placemaking Network on the BSA Website.
The Value of Light in Placemaking
November 7, 2016
Moderator: Todd Lee FAIA, LightBoston.org
A distinguished panel will discuss the principles behind using lighting to help reinforce the perceptions of place in cities, examples of local area installations, the efforts to place-make in Boston’s Fort Point Channel using light and brand it as a nighttime destination, and future plans for the Congress Street Bridge. The panel will include Keith Yancey, Lam Partners; Ben Colburn, Light Boston; and David Dixon, Stantec.
Big Data for Small Places
October 24, 2016
Elizabeth Christoforetti and Will Cohen, Supernormal.io
Supernormal is a design and planning practice that uses data to inform and improve urban development outcomes. Elizabeth Christoforetti and Will Cohen will discuss how their work systematizes the use of quantitative data and translates it into qualitative place-based recommendations. These efforts are reflected in their study of the public realm in Downtown Crossing, and in their project to create a set of planning and design metrics for urban and suburban conditions in cities across the U.S.
The Biometrics of Placemaking – Why we need buildings to see us
September 26, 2016
Ann Sussman AIA, co-author of Cognitive Architecture, AnnSussman.com
Janice Ward, GeneticsofDesign.com
Vernon Woodworth FAIA, UrbanDetermination.com
The speakers will explore how subconscious behaviors govern our experience in the built environment and how 'seeing' these hidden predispositions with biometric tools can help us understand what makes places successful. They will review eye-tracked images from their June cover story in Planning Magazine. They will also discuss our human-centric perception and the fact that seeing and being seen by others is important and that we are happiest and most at ease around objects that seem to ‘see’ us too.
Creating Vibrant Public Places - The Role of Programming & Management
June 20, 2016
Dan Biederman, president of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures and head of the Bryant Park Corporation and the 34th Street Partnership, is responsible for the renovation of Bryant Park in NYC and its operation as America’s best-used, privately managed public park. In Boston, he has led the renovation of the Brewer Fountain Plaza in the Boston Common, the programming upgrades at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and currently oversees events and sponsorships for Equity Office Properties at South Station and consults with MIT on their east campus gateway and Kendall Square Initiatives.During his presentation, Mr. Biederman will explain how programming creates vibrant public places, the types of activities that work, the role government plays in privately managed BIDs, and lessons learned about public behavior and preferences, ranging from research originally done by William "Holly" Whyte to BRV's experiences on projects across the country.
Creating Context: Transformative Parks and Open Space
May 16, 2016
Jerek Boss and Cody Klein, The Office of James Burnett, Landscape Architects
What are the successful elements of an urban park? How are successful open spaces planned? What role does programming public spaces play in the ultimate success of urban parks? As more cities become aware of the benefits associated with the creation of well programmed public open spaces, a variety of program elements and improvements are being incorporated into today’s parks. Formulating such an open space requires an understanding of culture, connectivity, stewardship and community. Jereck Boss and Cody Klein will present four case study parks that are shaping this new American Green. Download the flyer.
What's Wrong with the Sustainable Design We Have Today?
April 25, 2016
Michael Mehaffy, author of Design for a Living Planet
Jennifer Light, MIT Professor of Science, Technology and Society, author of The Nature of Cities.
Plenty, says Michael Mehaffy, a leading authority on the emerging field of "Agile Design" and its potential for disruptive impact on architectural practice and placemaking. Architect magazine says that Mehaffy seeks to "radically change the way people think." Ward Cunningham, the inventor of Wiki and a pioneer of Agile Methodology, says Mehaffy "lucidly describes what's coming in the world of design and what needs to come."
Taking theory into action, Mehaffy has developed new open-source design technologies based upon Christopher Alexander's "Pattern Language" concept. Mehaffy has collaborated closely in this work with Alexander, and with Ward Cunningham – a pioneer not only of Wiki and Agile, but also of open source software development and Pattern Languages of Programming. During Mehaffy's talk, he will share the practical lessons for urban architecture and development, as well as others learned from Portland, Oregon, his home base, that may help us here in Boston.
The issues discussed could not be more urgent. Evidence is growing that "bolt-on" technological approaches will not be enough to solve the seminal challenge of our time: climate change, along with the related issues of resource depletion, ecological destruction and contamination. Growing numbers of people now recognize that we must fundamentally rethink how technology in general, and design technology specifically, will work to meet those challenges. But what is the alternative? Where are we headed in the future of design? And how might the histories of science and technology help us think strategically about the choices ahead? Download the flyer.
Recommended reading
Mehaffy, Michael; Salingaros, Nikos A. "Toward Resilient Architectures 2: Why Green Often Isn't", Metropolis.
Creating a Retail and Restaurant Row
February 22, 2016
What does it take to convert a little-used street into a vibrant retail & restaurant row? What are the logistical and political challenges? What are the successful design features? What can the role of such a place be within the urban public realm? Marc Margulies of Margulies Perruzzi Architects and Signe Nielsen or Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects will present two restaurant row projects: plans for the upcoming conversion of Thomson Place in Boston’s Innovation District, and the conversion of Stone Street in New York City’s finance district, whose success is demonstrated by its popularity over the past ten years. A discussion will follow. Download the flyer.
The Concept of Layering in Architecture and Placemaking
January 25, 2016
Anne-Catrin Schultz PhD, Dipl.-Ing., author of Time Space and Material: The Mechanics of Layering in Architecture (2015) and Assistant Professor of Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology, will examine the principle of layering in architecture, its mechanics, possible application and narrative in architecture and urban planning. Layering is widely used in the discussions of the 20th and 21st century architecture but rarely defined or closely examined. Layering can be seen as a system for the creation and analysis of place (and architectural space) over time and has the potential to act as a nonhierarchical design principle. Layered planes and layered spaces communicate a sense of complexity and depth carrying function, program and narrative at the same time. The book introduced looks at archaeological examples of urban layering, it reviews layered spaces from different cultures and discusses the material layering of architectural skins. Following Ms. Schultz’s conceptual exploration and presentation of built examples our discussion will focus on layering and review its potential for placemaking. Download the flyer.
The Value of Light in Placemaking
November 7, 2016
Moderator: Todd Lee FAIA, LightBoston.org
A distinguished panel will discuss the principles behind using lighting to help reinforce the perceptions of place in cities, examples of local area installations, the efforts to place-make in Boston’s Fort Point Channel using light and brand it as a nighttime destination, and future plans for the Congress Street Bridge. The panel will include Keith Yancey, Lam Partners; Ben Colburn, Light Boston; and David Dixon, Stantec.
Big Data for Small Places
October 24, 2016
Elizabeth Christoforetti and Will Cohen, Supernormal.io
Supernormal is a design and planning practice that uses data to inform and improve urban development outcomes. Elizabeth Christoforetti and Will Cohen will discuss how their work systematizes the use of quantitative data and translates it into qualitative place-based recommendations. These efforts are reflected in their study of the public realm in Downtown Crossing, and in their project to create a set of planning and design metrics for urban and suburban conditions in cities across the U.S.
The Biometrics of Placemaking – Why we need buildings to see us
September 26, 2016
Ann Sussman AIA, co-author of Cognitive Architecture, AnnSussman.com
Janice Ward, GeneticsofDesign.com
Vernon Woodworth FAIA, UrbanDetermination.com
The speakers will explore how subconscious behaviors govern our experience in the built environment and how 'seeing' these hidden predispositions with biometric tools can help us understand what makes places successful. They will review eye-tracked images from their June cover story in Planning Magazine. They will also discuss our human-centric perception and the fact that seeing and being seen by others is important and that we are happiest and most at ease around objects that seem to ‘see’ us too.
Creating Vibrant Public Places - The Role of Programming & Management
June 20, 2016
Dan Biederman, president of Biederman Redevelopment Ventures and head of the Bryant Park Corporation and the 34th Street Partnership, is responsible for the renovation of Bryant Park in NYC and its operation as America’s best-used, privately managed public park. In Boston, he has led the renovation of the Brewer Fountain Plaza in the Boston Common, the programming upgrades at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, and currently oversees events and sponsorships for Equity Office Properties at South Station and consults with MIT on their east campus gateway and Kendall Square Initiatives.During his presentation, Mr. Biederman will explain how programming creates vibrant public places, the types of activities that work, the role government plays in privately managed BIDs, and lessons learned about public behavior and preferences, ranging from research originally done by William "Holly" Whyte to BRV's experiences on projects across the country.
Creating Context: Transformative Parks and Open Space
May 16, 2016
Jerek Boss and Cody Klein, The Office of James Burnett, Landscape Architects
What are the successful elements of an urban park? How are successful open spaces planned? What role does programming public spaces play in the ultimate success of urban parks? As more cities become aware of the benefits associated with the creation of well programmed public open spaces, a variety of program elements and improvements are being incorporated into today’s parks. Formulating such an open space requires an understanding of culture, connectivity, stewardship and community. Jereck Boss and Cody Klein will present four case study parks that are shaping this new American Green. Download the flyer.
What's Wrong with the Sustainable Design We Have Today?
April 25, 2016
Michael Mehaffy, author of Design for a Living Planet
Jennifer Light, MIT Professor of Science, Technology and Society, author of The Nature of Cities.
Plenty, says Michael Mehaffy, a leading authority on the emerging field of "Agile Design" and its potential for disruptive impact on architectural practice and placemaking. Architect magazine says that Mehaffy seeks to "radically change the way people think." Ward Cunningham, the inventor of Wiki and a pioneer of Agile Methodology, says Mehaffy "lucidly describes what's coming in the world of design and what needs to come."
Taking theory into action, Mehaffy has developed new open-source design technologies based upon Christopher Alexander's "Pattern Language" concept. Mehaffy has collaborated closely in this work with Alexander, and with Ward Cunningham – a pioneer not only of Wiki and Agile, but also of open source software development and Pattern Languages of Programming. During Mehaffy's talk, he will share the practical lessons for urban architecture and development, as well as others learned from Portland, Oregon, his home base, that may help us here in Boston.
The issues discussed could not be more urgent. Evidence is growing that "bolt-on" technological approaches will not be enough to solve the seminal challenge of our time: climate change, along with the related issues of resource depletion, ecological destruction and contamination. Growing numbers of people now recognize that we must fundamentally rethink how technology in general, and design technology specifically, will work to meet those challenges. But what is the alternative? Where are we headed in the future of design? And how might the histories of science and technology help us think strategically about the choices ahead? Download the flyer.
Recommended reading
Mehaffy, Michael; Salingaros, Nikos A. "Toward Resilient Architectures 2: Why Green Often Isn't", Metropolis.
Creating a Retail and Restaurant Row
February 22, 2016
What does it take to convert a little-used street into a vibrant retail & restaurant row? What are the logistical and political challenges? What are the successful design features? What can the role of such a place be within the urban public realm? Marc Margulies of Margulies Perruzzi Architects and Signe Nielsen or Mathews Nielsen Landscape Architects will present two restaurant row projects: plans for the upcoming conversion of Thomson Place in Boston’s Innovation District, and the conversion of Stone Street in New York City’s finance district, whose success is demonstrated by its popularity over the past ten years. A discussion will follow. Download the flyer.
The Concept of Layering in Architecture and Placemaking
January 25, 2016
Anne-Catrin Schultz PhD, Dipl.-Ing., author of Time Space and Material: The Mechanics of Layering in Architecture (2015) and Assistant Professor of Architecture at Wentworth Institute of Technology, will examine the principle of layering in architecture, its mechanics, possible application and narrative in architecture and urban planning. Layering is widely used in the discussions of the 20th and 21st century architecture but rarely defined or closely examined. Layering can be seen as a system for the creation and analysis of place (and architectural space) over time and has the potential to act as a nonhierarchical design principle. Layered planes and layered spaces communicate a sense of complexity and depth carrying function, program and narrative at the same time. The book introduced looks at archaeological examples of urban layering, it reviews layered spaces from different cultures and discusses the material layering of architectural skins. Following Ms. Schultz’s conceptual exploration and presentation of built examples our discussion will focus on layering and review its potential for placemaking. Download the flyer.