On April 19, 1775, Paul Revere’s ride through the dark of night from Boston to Lexington, Massachusetts set in motion the start of the American Revolution. 250 years later, the houses around the Lexington Battle Green still stand, and the spirits of bravery and independence live as strong as ever in the hearts and minds of today’s Bostonians. As a newly appointed member of the Architects Foundation, I could not be more excited to welcome all attendees to the AIA25 Conference on Architecture & Design to our city.
Architectural gems, both old and new, abound. If you have not visited Boston in the past decade, you will not recognize the Seaport District, adjacent to the Convention Center where we will be gathering. What was once a sea of surface parking lots is now a thriving hub of activity. Make sure to take a walk down to the waterfront where you can take in a view encompassing modern skyscrapers and the historic North End warehouses all from one spot. No trip to Boston is complete without a stroll through the Public Gardens and the Back Bay neighborhood with its distinctive brownstones.
Make sure to set aside time to head across the river to Cambridge where the Kendall Square neighborhood brings together people from all parts of the globe to explore new ideas and develop innovations that change peoples’ lives. It is what our city does best. MIT’s campus stretches along the Charles River. Here another spectacular view of the Boston skyline explains Alvar Aalto’s serpentine form for the Baker House dormitory. Right behind this building are the iconic Chapel and Kresge Auditorium, as well the recently opened Linde Music building designed by SANAA. Two T stops away you will find Corbusier’s only building in the US, the Carpenter Center at Harvard University. It is adjacent to the Fogg Art Museum, recently expanded by Renzo Piano.
The historic context and the modern intervention have been part of Boston’s DNA since its beginnings 400 years ago. We hope that your time here during AIA25 is filled with experiences that have you reflecting on the past and being inspired about the future.
Not yet registered for AIA25? There’s still time to claim your spot!
