Boston

I have seen some terrific design up here and I keep wishing the class was here to see it! The new WGBH facility and the Boston Children's Museum (BCM) stand out as wonderful examples of design, technology, and sustainability focused toward creating a pleasurable and highly functional environment to people. The BCM has LEEDS gold certification (see this) and it's a great example of preservation. It was originally a warehouse. They have retained the brick walls in most places as well as the wooden columns. Wood from columns that had to be removed was used for the reception area desks and flooring. The rooftops are planted with sedum--planted by children and the water is used in toilets and for irrigation of gardens. Beyond the "green" features I was so impressed by the care with which every space was planned for young children and their families. This is a museum that also functions as a gathering place for families. There's just too much good stuff to cover it all here but I left so excited that a place could incorporate the absolute best of design, sustainability, and the best educational and community-building practices. Sooo inspiring. Any one who wants to design for children, children's theater (they have one), education, or museums should visit this building.
WGBH the public radio and TV station in Boston also has an amazing new (and huge space). One wonderful thing was that their materials and even some structures were very much like those used in IARC's Lowenstein exhibit. Any student who worked on that project could have worked on these spaces. The architects were Polshek Partners. Again the designers not only created spaces that work for the staff, but they are also available for the community. The neighborhood where WGBH is located is celebrating 100 years and WGBH is sponsoring a huge party at their facility. Even the radio broadcast studio is observable from the street through special sound proof window. Very cool.
Our hotel is also quite a building but the designers weren't totally sensitive to things like noise levels in public spaces. Still it has some very cool features, like a Japanese inspired lighting array beside the bed and every technology hook-up device currently available. Take a look.