Client: city of boston
LOCATION: mattapan, MA
Size: 34,000 sf
Scope: renovation
STATUS: completed 2024
photoGRAPHY: Anton Grassl

AWARDS:
2024 AIA New England awards
citation award
excellence in architecture

publication:
“Mayor Michelle Wu Celebrates the Reopening of the BCYF Mattahunt Community Center”,
Boston.com, April 2024

“Mattahunt Center to Reopen on April 1st”,
Dorchester Reporter, April 2024

“Wu Announces more Funding for Free Swimming Lessons for Underserved Youth at Mattahunt Community Center”,
February 2024

MATTAHUNT COMMUNITY CENTER

Since 1974, the Mattahunt Community Center (connected to the Mattahunt Elementary School via a pedestrian bridge) has served the Mattapan community. It provides the community and the elementary school with a gym, locker rooms, pool, multi-purpose room and teen space to be used day and night. The diverse community is represented by a large population of Haitians, Caribbean Immigrants, and African Americans. A prior envelope project renovated the exterior of the school with a system of colorful metal panels reflecting the colors of the flags from the countries represented in the community.  

The revitalization of the Community Center includes a new entrance, welcoming lobby skylight, and windows that drive natural daylight into the center of the building. The renovation also transformed the gym, lockers, pool, and multi-purpose room and created a new teen room with recording studio. The colorful exterior cladding of the school was reimagined on the main wall of the double-height lobby space to visually and physically brand and unify the two buildings. A bright red circulation ribbon wraps the lobby, circulation desk, bench, and stair to the connecting bridge. As a connective wayfinding tool, it directs the public into the gym and corridors. At the corridors, the red ribbon is positioned diagonally on the floor and walls to lead the public into the lockers / pool area and teen room. New clerestory windows at the pool and gym bring additional natural daylight into the space. The multi-purpose room is adapted with a stage, flexible seating, and tables for activities, games, theater, and performances. The new Teen Room, transformed from a former rehearsal space, features areas for studying, lounging, recording, and gaming. The center offers revitalized community spaces, while enriching the lives of children and families.