With the news of Boston's Downtown Crossing seeking to become a new Business Improvement District, as well as the ongoing problems of the stalled development at the old Filene's Building and a growing number of empty storefronts in the area, map-lab decided to take a more in depth look at possible solutions. Through a series of competition entries, we proposed a new masterplan for the district, which put focus back on the pedestrian and micro-retail. 

We took the bold move of transforming the entire length of Washington Street (from Chinatown to the Old State House) into a car-free pedestrian zone. Along with this, we propose the addition of modular micro-retail containers which would provide "pause moments" for the pedestrians as well as introduce a smaller scale of economy in an area previously dominated by large retail establishments.

By taking advantage of vacant and underutilized sites, we transformed a parking lot into a transportation hub for the Silver Line and a stalled development project into a temporary restaurant pavillion to exhibit local cafes and restaurants from within the Downtown Crossing District. 

Please see our lab_blog for more information on this project.

map-lab was selected to provide architectural services for the MIT Dewey Library after working closely with facilities and library staff on a comprehensive study that raised a number of good design opportunities.
The design opens up the library and brings natural light to the basement level with the introduction of a new open stairway. On the second floor, the few existing windows that were formerly covered up by book stacks now filter natural light into the new meeting rooms, open study areas, and stack areas.
The project features many sustainable choices, including reuse of existing wood paneling, solar powered sink faucets, high efficiency lighting, recycled glass countertops, and compact shelving end panels made out of sunflower seed hulls.

When the New England Conservatory of Music received a donation to transform an important music practice and recital space they selected the team of map-lab and Silverman Trykowski Associates to provide architectural services. The goal was to improve the acoustics of the space while installing modern electrical, audio visual, and heating and cooling systems. The highlight of the room is the paneled wall system which was designed with the assistance of acoustical engineers to maximize to richness of the musical performances taking place in the room.
map-lab and STA led a programming phase that incorporated input from faculty and administrative staff of the New England Conservatory making certain that the room would provide flexibility needed for many different uses. The newly renovated performance space will now function also as a recording studio, a multi-media classroom, and a conference room for the Board of Trustees with the ability to interact worldwide with members via a state of the art teleconferencing system.

map-lab was selected to assist Doll E. Daze to realize their vision for a new museum dedicated to the preservation of black dolls.
map-lab met with Doll E. Daze and their project team to review various sites for their museum, analyzing and weighing the various benefits of each location. Once a location was selected, map-lab worked with Doll E. Daze and the City of Brockton to develop a master plan for an existing brick building located close to Brockton center.
map-lab’s design and master plan includes a performance space, classrooms, exhibition space, and a cafe for the public. The design also features artist housing and a green roof with a view of the downtown.

MIT hired map-lab to design a technologically advanced classroom in the Stata Center that would also be used by students as a 24-hour workspace, outside of regular class time. Because MIT wants to encourage students to work more collaboratively, this basement space needed to be welcoming. Cork flooring softens the room while the green soffit not only disguises the low ceiling in one area but adds an energy to the room with its shape and color. Located in the highly visible and “branded” Stata Center, this classroom incorporates Douglas Fir furniture and super graphics as a nod to the building’s Student Street.

A project that was originally submitted to the BAC/BSA Scholarship Competition and was awarded runner-up, was more useful after the competition, as it was used as the case study to discuss the merits of “high-design” that can render net zero carbon and other sustainable strategies for affordable housing to be located in areas of empty lots in neighborhoods in need of housing.
This particular design was a site adjacent to the Massachusetts Turnpike that needed to include a live/work program. The structure and overall design is adaptable to both height and programmatic restrictions.

map-lab was selected to assist Doll E. Daze to realize their vision for a new museum dedicated to the preservation of black dolls.

map-lab met with Doll E. Daze and their project team to review various sites for their museum, analyzing and weighing the various benefits of each location. Once a location was selected, map-lab worked with Doll E. Daze and the City of Brockton to develop a master plan for an existing brick building located close to Brockton center.
map-lab’s design and master plan includes a performance space, classrooms, exhibition space, and a cafe for the public. The design also features artist housing and a green roof with a view of the downtown.

The Beth Menachem Chabad is a religious temple designed to compliment the surrounding residential neighborhood in style, scale and materials.  map-lab collaborated closely with the team to address all design approaches and concerns, which were controlled by the specific necessity of spaces within this building.  The sanctuary space will serve various religious events and functions and can be divided into two spaces with the new mechanical dividing wall. The lower level of the building features a religious mikvah for men and women, with rich lighting, finishes and materials. 

map-lab was selected to assist Doll E. Daze to realize their vision for a new museum dedicated to the preservation of black dolls.
map-lab met with Doll E. Daze and their project team to review various sites for their museum, analyzing and weighing the various benefits of each location. Once a location was selected, map-lab worked with Doll E. Daze and the City of Brockton to develop a master plan for an existing brick building located close to Brockton center.
map-lab’s design and master plan includes a performance space, classrooms, exhibition space, and a cafe for the public. The design also features artist housing and a green roof with a view of the downtown.