Natural Systems Studio

In the fall of 2012, the BAC’s School of Landscape Architecture, in partnership with the HarborArts, launched an advanced Natural Systems studio focusing on the exploration of natural systems as public art in the Boston Harbor Shipyard. The Shipyard and Marina sites were used to develop new art gallery hybrids for displaying public art, providing valuable civic open space, and demonstrating ecological remediation processes. The studio addressed the waterfront and surrounding urban context through the historical lenses of civil engineering and infrastructural requirements, and developed future growth scenarios through contemporary mapping techniques, case studies, and detailed design investigations.

LA School students’ work was presented at a final studio review held as a public forum session at the Shipyard on December 11th, 2012. What turned out to be a highly successful event drew community members, BAC staff and faculty, HarborArts board members, and professional architects and landscape architects working in the City and who are highly interested in this urban development work.

Maria Bellalta, Head, School of Landscape Architecture, BAC, would like to offer a special thank you to Steve Israel and Matt Pollack of HarborArts for facilitating this magnificent site and study to Boston Architectural College students.  Together with HarborArts, the School looks forward to expanding this collaboration to address ongoing urbanization issues around the City, and on reaching frameworks that meet ecologically viable and meaningful practices for the future.
 
Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Students:
Marcus Cantu, Evan Hammond, Colin Kreik, Luis Perez, Matt Richard, Sean Walters

Master of Landscape Architecture Students:
Jessi Flynn, Libby Knot

Instructors:
Shaun O’Rourke, Director of Sustainable Design, School of Landscape Architecture Faculty, BAC
Nina Chase, Sasaki Associates, School of Landscape Architecture Adjunct Instructor, BAC