CLIENT: Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción
LOCATION: BOSTON, MA
SIZE: 26,000sf
STATUS: Design completion
IBA "LA CASA" MULTICULTURAL CENTER
STUDIO ENÉE as Prime Architects and in collaboration with Ann Beha Architects, is designing a new Community Arts Center for Inquilinos Boricuas en Acción (IBA) in the Boston’s South End historic district. The 26,000sf building surrounds a new large multipurpose room, which will host a variety of events ranging from dance and theater performances to weddings and quinceaneros. The program for the upper floors brings together the diverse components of the organization including offices for resident services as well as youth programs and offices for IBA’s administration.
Given the location of the site in the South End, the building is subject to BPDA and South End Landmark Historic District approvals. Working closely with the City of Boston and IBA, the design team has developed an exterior façade that is transparent and a good neighbor to the community as well as an expression of the latin community in Boston. A veil of terracotta wraps the upper portion of the building mimicking the scale and color of the adjacent brick context while the lower portion remains transparent to invite the public into the bright and vibrant spaces. The Multipurpose room opens up onto the adjacent public park, making a direct connection between the interior and the community.
Above the public lobby are spaces for a youth class art room and an art gallery. A roof deck above the multipurpose room connects directly to a large meeting room and shared kitchen providing opportunities for exterior meetings and activities. On the upper floors, looking down toward the roof deck or out to the city beyond, are the offices for resident services as well as property management and administration. These programs had previously been scattered about the South End at a variety of sites but the new building allows for a single focal point for the entire community.
STUDIO ENÉE as Prime Architect with Ann Beha Architects.
