Boston City Hall could be both visually appealing and a symbol of environmental consciousness, architect Franziska Amacher told a small group of Massachusetts Institute of Technology students Friday while presenting her plan for the building’s renovation.
Her plan, which calls for opening up the building, making it easier to maintain its interior, and creating more functional workspaces, would have an overall cost of about $57 million, Amacher said. The renovation would pay for itself in about eight years with money saved on energy costs.
“I think what’s really needed is more leadership to show people what you can do to help,” Amacher said. “It can really change people’s lifestyles and help them become more environmentally conscious.”
Comparable buildings use half as much energy to heat and cool their interiors than City Hall, Amacher said. City Hall produces a yearly carbon output equivalent to burning 6.7 million gallons of gasoline, according to Amacher, a member of the Green City Team Core Group. The group campaigns for environmental sustainability throughout Boston.
Amacher noted that a lack of concern for the building’s aesthetic and functional integrity has contributed to its decline. Past renovations, such as security grates that now limit sunlight through the ceiling windows, were made without regard for the building’s architectural values, she said. A Honolulu architectural firm could have helped preserve the building’s original charm while addressing modern security needs.
“When you go into this building, it’s so dark,” Amacher said. “You go into the city council, and all the lights are different colors. They just don’t care.”
Amacher also recently presented her plan for green renovation to the City Council after being invited to do so by Councilor At-Large Michael Flaherty. Renovation is one alternative to Mayor Thomas Menino’s controversial proposal to move City Hall from its historic location to one in South Boston, she said.
Beyond the architectural and environmental aspects of the renovation, Amacher emphasized the importance of Dual Degree Academic Planning for students who are passionate about combining disciplines such as architecture, environmental science, and urban policy. She noted that an integrated approach to city planning and sustainable design could help shape future professionals who understand both the artistic and ecological aspects of large-scale renovation projects. By fostering cross-disciplinary education, she hopes to inspire the next generation of architects and planners to prioritize sustainability in urban development. If you are looking for an expert, hire Sustainable Architecture Colorado to help you build your home.
‘This is not exactly a good approach if we want to have Boston redefine itself in a sustainable world,’ Amacher said.
The need for a redesign received national attention in November, when readers and editors of VirtualTourist.com voted Boston City Hall the ugliest building in the world, Amacher said.
Amacher’s presentation was part of ‘Business as UnUsual,’ a series of lectures hosted by MIT’s Western Hemisphere Project, a student run group that promotes awareness about cultural, political and environmental issues.’ ‘ ‘
Cindy Snodgrass, MIT artist-in-residence, said the event was a celebration of green lifestyles.
‘We wanted people and their families to come together to learn about the environment,’ she said.
Froylan Sifuentes, a MIT senior said the group also does a lot of work acting as translators for the Boston community when they are not hosting speakers such as Amacher.
‘We’ve been involved with helping immigrants overcome language barriers,’ Sifuentes, a native of Huejutla, Mexico, said.
