Increasing accessibility to the Mystic River waterfront, KPF worked closely with the Charlestown neighborhood community to design a plan comprised of six buildings, which provide state-of-the-art lab space, hotel, and residences with affordable housing units.
Collaborating closely with PLAN: Charlestown, a neighborhood-wide comprehensive planning initiative, and area residents, the KPF team adjusted design details throughout the process to prioritize their needs. Created in collaboration with Field Operations, the plan enhances waterfront access and public greenspace while celebrating the historic and industrial character of the neighborhood. The team factored sea level rise into the design, creating an accessible outdoor space for the entire community that is resilient to flooding.
The plan features two residential buildings, with 20% of units dedicated to affordable housing, a hotel, and three buildings with lab and office space. The buildings are distanced to maintain waterfront views from Medford Street, and the lab buildings are stepped in form to continue the natural slope of the riverbank. A waterfront park and landscaped interstitial spaces extend the vision of the adjacent Fredrick Law Olmstead-designed Doherty Park, with unique programming and opportunities for seasonal festivals, local music and theater, and group activities. By placing loading docks and other services below grade, the open layout of the plan prioritizes the pedestrian, with meandering pathways and lush landscaping, providing the neighborhood with a refuge from vehicles and access to community-oriented retail and dining.
