As a part of Massachusetts Good Neighbor Day, the BSA and partners created outdoor spaces for residents of the Doris Bunte Apartments in Roxbury to gather, connect and relax.
Housing is about much more than buildings, it is about home, community, health, resilience and equity. The design of these buildings and the outdoor spaces that surround them deeply influences everyday experiences and is critically important to social connection. When linking the broader public with the spatial designers in collaborative processes that celebrate a multitude of voices, it can create vibrant, sustainable community hubs.
With this guiding principle in mind, the Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) recently partnered with the Boston Housing Authority, AARP and the residents of the Doris Bunte Apartments in Roxbury to celebrate Massachusetts Good Neighbor Day (September 28) by co-creating outdoor spaces for residents to gather, connect and relax with neighbors, friends and family. The new outdoor space features: planters and greenery to bring warmth and color to the space, additional seating to accommodate socializing and resting, lighting for evening activities, and chess tables to encourage friendly play. The buildout and event were made possible by a grant from the AARP.
“At its heart, this project is about care; care for one another and care for the places we share. Working alongside residents, we’ve learned that even small, temporary design gestures can build trust, spark joy, and offer insights that may shape lasting improvements across Boston’s public housing communities,” said Ben Peterson, Community Design Director at the BSA.
As part of their ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life for Boston-area residents through equitable and sustainable design, the BSA applied for and was awarded an ‘AARP Community Challenge’ grant, which was in turn used for this project.
“AARP is proud to fund local projects that help make communities more livable for people of all ages with our ‘AARP Community Challenge’,” said Jen Benson, AARP Massachusetts State Director. “In working with partners like the BSA and BHA on projects like Good Neighbor Day, we can help communities spark change and create opportunities for residents of all ages to engage in community life.”
At the unveiling event, the BSA and partners gathered real-time feedback that showed that residents of Doris Bunte were excited to continue to care for and use the newly activated site alongside neighbors. Feedback from the residents will inform the capital improvement project of the Doris Bunte Apartments being done by Winslow Architects.
“Community engagement is critically important to address equity and sustainability in the built environment. We are happy to have another opportunity to get feedback from the residents and look forward to using it to help generate and shape ideas for the capital improvements project,” said John Winslow, President, Winslow Architects Inc.
The Good Neighbor Day project is one of many initiatives that the BSA and their members participate in across the Greater Boston area. The non-profit membership organization is focused on improving the quality of life for Boston-area residents by championing innovation in the built environment, including through their work in K-12 programming, housing, policy and advocacy and more.
“Projects like this one at Doris Bunte embody the BSA’s mission at its best,” said Paige Johnston, Senior Director, Programs & Impact, BSA. “By staying closely attuned to community priorities, we can mobilize our remarkable network of members and partners to create meaningful change, both now and for generations to come.”
For more information about the BSA and the BSA Foundation, visit architects.org or follow them on Linkedin (@boston-society-for-architecture) and Instagram (@bsaaia) to see their latest work in the Greater Boston area. Those interested are invited to attend the upcoming BSA Housing Innovation Symposium, which will bring together architects and designers, community residents, developers, policymakers, students, and advocates in Boston to explore how to embrace design innovation amid financial, regulatory, and social constraints.