Building an urban image

Abstract

This design project explores the principles of "urban legibility" and "shared space". The readability, or imageability (in Kevin Lynch's term) of a city results from the recognition of larger urban patterns, organizations, and elements. One such pattern, the "city edge", is identified and explored through the design. A "shared space" is one which can be experienced (to some degree) from both inside and outside of the enclosure of a building. The site is on the Boston waterfront. The program is a 70 room hotel with commercial space on ground level.