CONTEMPORARY AGORA
CHARLES RIVER ESPLANADE, BOSTON, MA - COMMUNITY PROGRAMMING
CONTEMPORARY AGORA
LOCATION: CHARLES RIVER ESPLANADE, BOSTON, MA
PROJECT TYPE: COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL CENTER
PROFESSORS: ALKIVIADIS PYLIOTIS & EVANGELOS FOKIALIS
STUDIO VIII: FOURTH YEAR UNDERGRADUATE
The contemporary agora is a place where the pedestrian experience triumphs over today's vehicular oriented cities while maintaining the long established connection with nature that ancient agoras fostered.
Situated at the end of the esplanade, this agora acts as a beginning and an end to people entering and leaving the city. The spiraling geometry opens up to the esplanade guiding users through a progression of public spaces and courtyards while acting as one large theater or gathering place for performances.
By creating a protective envelope of structure around the outer perimeter, the building allows the human experience to maintain its continuity uninterrupted by the city.
LOCATION PLAN
The Contemporary Agora is placed right on the edge of the esplanade, attracting passerby pedestrians and bicyclists. It opens up to the Charles River and walkway while protecting the inner courtyards from the bustling city of Boston across from Storrow Drive.
CHARCOAL AXONOMATRIC
Acting as a parti for this project, these drawings served as a baseline moving forward for developing the project from the schematic design process.
