The nature of a site : urban and architectural design perspectives on the renovation of Revere Beach, Massachusetts

Abstract

Through analyses and design studies, this thesis articulates qualities of environment and architecture that affect the redevelopment of an urban beach. Looking at Boston, Massachusetts' Revere Beach, it examines the impact of shape, location, and environmental, social and economic background on the form and program of future building along the beach edge. The thesis draws together two issues, use and form, in looking at large issues of any redevelopment: distinguishing valid public claims from private, residential from commercial, local from regional, pedestrian from automobile and mass transit. wealthy from poor. It raises questions about the nature of recreation and work, in association with other civic roles for the beach. The study analyzes physical form from the perspective of various combinations of use and vice versa: programs from the standpoint of form. The work discusses architecture and urban design in terms that consider the new development's role in orienting people within their environment; it tries to define what that means specifically at Revere. From regional to local to building to material dimension, the paper questions what suggests qualities of "beach-ness", particularly of a Revere Beach sort. Finally, preliminary sketches and notes for a sea edge design include provisions for both public and private uses, with a character that expresses the beach's seasonal nature as well as providing protection and comfort throughout the year. The design proposal differentiates between various program elements, and seeks their appropriate placement within a new development. Public services include bath houses, information centers, parking systems, and a pedestrian framework of promenades, amphitheaters, courtyards, and access ways. The commercial activity, public to some extent, includes theatres, restaurants, health clinics, schools and athletic facilities, as well as sunning, swimming, souvenir-related shops. Questions of ownership and management are briefly addressed. The project also examines possibilities for including in the design floating sew age treatment facilities and land-based win d generators, as ways to correlate recreational facilities with a public understanding of the urban infrastructure.