Describing buildings metaphorically can make the idea behind the building more relatable and frames a project in a more meaningful way. When approaching the design of the James Mandell building at Boston Children’s Hospital, we explored infusing light and nature in a tight urban site on a dense city block in Boston – similar to a canyon, which is significantly deeper than it is wide. The completed space became a vibrant urban oasis which was carved from the center of a dense urban canyon.
For the hospital staff and its patients, this is experienced – it is a space they work and heal in; for others, to understand this significant project theme, we rely on photography. To best represent the theme of light in a canyon, what photo composition of the completed space is the most convincing?
The image below, through its angle and the way it frames the sky not only literally mirrors the figure ground of the terraced courtyard, which makes it interesting and abstract, but more importantly depicts the literal connection to nature suspended six floors above grade
This abstract upshot became an important photo to represent the three-dimensionality of the space. The three-dimensionality of this courtyard offered an interesting opportunity to frame the open sky and craft an image that, on its own and together with other views of the courtyard space, is very much analogous of driving light and air deep into the core of a canyon.
Related:
Embedded Nature
“You have to do a really good job to do what society needs. That’s something that is worth it.”
Payette’s Jim Collins reflects on the importance of architecture in creating spaces for future generations to enjoy.
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