Boston – Copley Wolff Design Group announced recently that it has been recognized by the Boston Society of Landscape Architecture in its 2017 BSLA Awards Program. The firm was a recipient of the Merit Award in Design for its extensive work on the vibrant landscape design details at the Assembly Row project in Somerville.
Copley Wolff served as the primary landscape architect for the project developed by Federal Realty Investment Trust.
Baxter Park
Completed in 2014, Phase 1 of the development included the transformation of an underutilized and ecologically degraded site into a neighborhood containing a waterfront park, offices, multi-family residences, restaurants, and retailers. When the team set out to create this new community, they understood the need for thoughtfully designed streetscapes, outdoor public spaces, and parks to engage visitors and community members alike.
Streetscape
The firm’s efforts in the creation of this engaging environment included:
- Walking and biking paths connecting the regional bicycle network to public transportation.
- A waterfront park with flexible green space, a community dock, and 11 acres of public riverfront access.
- A playground containing a spinning structure, water-play, and a climbing/sliding feature.
- An amphitheater used for community events.
- A public plaza used for farmers’ markets and festivals.
The various mixed-use elements that comprise Assembly Row were unified through Copley Wolff’s intricate design developed to provide flexible public spaces, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, and increased access to the waterfront. The engaging and appealing outdoor spaces were made so in part through the bold use of salvaged granite and reclaimed steel trusses. The streetscape of the community features planters surrounded by granite curbing along the outer edges of sidewalks and trees spread across the outdoor spaces that thrive due to sand-based structural soil and passive aeration.
Aerial view
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“Our firm is honored to have its work recognized by the Boston Society of Landscape Architecture Awards Program,” said John Copley, Principal of Copley Wolff Design Group. “This distinction serves as a testament to our ongoing mission of creating memorable and engaging settings for community enjoyment.”
