MIT has selected a multidisciplinary urban design team to help advance plans for the redevelopment of Institute-owned property in East Campus and Kendall Square. The team will build upon the work of Elkus Manfredi Architects, which led to the adoption of new zoning regulations in the district, as well as the work of a faculty design group led by the School of Architecture and Planning (SA+P), which recently developed design typologies for the Institute’s property in the Kendall Square area.
Urban design team
The East Campus urban design team will be led by Mack Scogin Merrill Elam Architects of Atlanta, in cooperation with Michael Van Valkenburgh Landscape Architects of Cambridge and New York. Ken Greenberg, a renowned urban planner from Toronto, will provide urban design guidance. The team also includes Vanasse Hangen Brustlin for transportation analysis, Atelier Ten for environmental design planning, and HR+A Advisors for strategic advisory services.
SA+P Dean Adèle Santos, who chaired the faculty design group, said, “I believe that we have chosen the very best firms and individuals for this next phase of the process. The skills and experience of the overall team will allow us to move forward with thoughtful creativity and practical know-how.”
Goals of the study
The intent of the study is to create a long-range development framework to accommodate future academic, commercial, and residential uses on MIT property in Kendall Square, as well as a gateway to the East Campus area. Goals for the study include:
- enhancing the existing Kendall Square innovation cluster by providing space for new innovative academic initiatives and commercial enterprises;
- creating a lively urban environment by developing a destination gathering and arrival place with amenities and services and active streetscapes for all;
- establishing a vibrant new gateway and connective links between MIT, the central business district, and the Cambridge community; and
- creating an overall development plan that is feasible.
MIT community forums
Thursday, Nov. 7, 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Room 3-270)
Wednesday, Dec. 11, 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Room 32-155)
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Location TBD)
Cambridge community forums
Thursday, Nov. 14, 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Room 4-153)
Thursday, Dec. 12, 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Room 56-154)
Wednesday, Jan. 22, 5:30 to 7 p.m. (Location TBD)
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