PERSPECTIVES
A long term collaboration between the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester, the Martin Richard Foundation and the City of Boston, The Fieldhouse+ groundbreaking celebrated an exciting milestone in the project's path to completion!
The ceremony was attended by over 200 people, with state and city officials joining Bill Richard, the co-founder of the Martin Richard Foundation and Bob Scannell, the president and CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester (BGCD). The Fieldhouse+, set to be completed in 2026, will provide the children of Boston with not only an indoor turf field for year-round intramural sports, but also a whole host of learning and gathering spaces. The 75,000+ square feet of community-oriented space will serve the 50,000+ young people who live within three miles of its Columbia Point location with facilities and amenities not limited to indoor courts, a turf field, walking track, teaching kitchen, roof garden, theatre, fitness center, conference rooms and more.
A project seven years in the making, The Fieldhouse's design centers on the concept of intersectionality and aims to create a beacon for the community. A lighted core serves as the grounding point for the two large volumes that make up the building, uniting the athletic and educational facilities. Simple, but durable industrial materials work together in creating a welcoming, accessible environment for young people to learn, grow and create community with each other for years to come.
Beyond providing a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, the Fieldhouse+ design paid close attention to its impacts on the environment, designing around enhanced sustainability and resiliency measures. The all-electric project meets LEED Gold standards and aims to be a Net Zero Carbon facility. The Fieldhouse not only will ensure climate resiliency and a safe place for the community during extreme weather events, but also serve as a learning tool for visitors to see these design elements in action.
Learn more about RODE's approach to designing the BGCD Fieldhouse+ here!
RODE, Pine Street Inn, and The Community Builders are proud to unveil The Lyndia - Boston's largest supportive housing community.
At the ribbon cutting ceremony, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, state and city officials, and other public and private partners celebrated the building’s opening with tenants and community members. The building, located at 3368 Washington St., is named in honor of Lyndia Downie, who has dedicated her entire 40-year career to ending homelessness, including the last 25 years as president and executive director of Pine Street.
The design presents a dynamic, stepped facade onto Washington Street in Jamaica Plain, and delivers over 200 units of supportive and affordable housing. Given the opportunity to instill transformative change in the communities that need it the most, it was of utmost importance that the design create a sense of home and place for the residents, with market rate finishes, amenities and thoughtfulness.
RODE's Brucewood Homes project has been honored with the prestigious Planet Positive Award for Single-Family Home by Metropolis magazine. The Planet Positive Awards recognize excellence in sustainable, healthy, just design at every scale in the built environment.
Brucewood Homes, the first internationally certified Passive House single-family homes in the City of Boston, is a series of three single-family residences perched on a rocky outcropping in a quiet residential neighborhood. The Homes’ simple, contemporary design celebrates their sustainable aspirations: large windows and warm materials connect the occupants to nature, daylight, and well-being; an efficient building form minimizes disturbance of the site; and high-efficiency mechanical systems ensure a low-carbon footprint. The project exemplifies RODE Architects’ commitment to integrating sustainability with great design, setting a high standard for energy efficiency and resiliency in residential construction to create healthy, durable living spaces.
“We are incredibly proud to receive the Planet Positive Award for Brucewood Homes,” said Kevin Deabler, principal and co-founder of RODE. “This project represents our dedication to building sustainably. We believed that high-performance, healthy, and comfortable homes like Brucewood are in demand and this was proven true through the experience of our client and these homeowners. It’s an honor to be recognized by Metropolis alongside all of this year’s worthy award winners.”
RODE won approvals for two projects at the Boston Planning Department's November Board hearing. These two projects exemplify RODE's approach to community-based design, with program, form, and siting that give back to their respective neighborhoods, and expand and enhance the public realm.
279 North Harvard is a partnership with the Allston Brighton CDC and McNamara House that will bring 49 units of affordable elderly housing to the Brighton neighborhood, The project anchors itself around the revitalized Hill Memorial Baptist Church structure, in support of the humane, joyful long term housing of elderly residents.
49 D Street, in the growth corridor along Dot Ave in South Boston, presents a striking, resilient, contemporary design that deftly contends with constrained site conditions. The building form is sculpted to carve space for a pocket park, which connects to a new ground level retail space.
70 units of new housing - including 12 units designated as affordable - will enjoy expansive views of the city, and benefit from Passive House design principles.
In the competitive landscape of the hospitality industry, a well-crafted business plan can be the difference between success and stagnation. While architects are traditionally associated with designing physical spaces, they’re most effective when their role extends beyond aesthetics. Engaging an architect or interior designer early in your business planning process can yield a number of strategic advantages that transcend mere floor plans.
Originally published on High-Profile Monthly.
Brand Identity and Feasibility Studies
Architects possess a unique skill set that blends creative vision with practicality. When embarking on a new hospitality venture, they can contribute significantly to the development of your brand identity. By understanding your business goals, target market, and desired guest experience, architects can help cultivate your concept through spatial storytelling and thematic design elements. Whether it’s a boutique hotel, restaurant, or spa, they can infuse your space with unique characteristics that resonate with your target audience.
In addition, architects can conduct feasibility studies that assess the viability of your business plan – whether a new build or a renovation – from a design and construction standpoint. They can identify potential challenges early on, such as zoning regulations, building codes, and environmental considerations. This proactive approach mitigates risks and allows for adjustments to be made in the planning stages, saving time and money down the line.
Spatial Planning and Operational Efficiency
Efficient space utilization is crucial in the hospitality industry, where every square foot impacts revenue generation and guest experience. Architects are trained to optimize spatial layouts, ensuring that your space not only looks impressive but also operates seamlessly. From kitchen workflows to guest flow patterns, it’s vital to consider spatial planning to enhance operational efficiency and staff productivity.
