Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio

Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Exterior Photography, BeamInfra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Interior Photography, BeamInfra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Image 4 of 25Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Exterior Photography, Fence, HandrailInfra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - More Images+ 20

  • Developer: Massachusetts Departments of Transportation (MassDOT)
  • Operator/Programming: National Development
  • Pathway Graphics: Visual Dialogue
  • Mural Curator: Street Theory
  • City: Boston
  • Country: United States
More SpecsLess Specs
Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Image 13 of 25
Courtesy of Landing Studio

Text description provided by the architects. Infra-Space 1 is the pilot project of a state-wide Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) led study to revitalize landscapes under elevated highway viaducts. Such under-viaduct areas commonly have detrimental characteristics, being inaccessible, foreboding, dark, loud, and interrupting the urban fabric. The goal of the project was to repair those breaks by introducing multi-modal connections and increase safety and comfort through new uses and lighting. The project incorporates significant environmental improvements by turning the under-highway landscapes into green stormwater infrastructure to treat the vast amounts of runoff from the highway that would otherwise contaminate local waterways. Maintenance areas for structural inspections double-function as public programming areas.

Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Exterior Photography, Fence, Handrail
Courtesy of Landing Studio
Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Image 21 of 25
Plan
Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Image 4 of 25
Courtesy of Landing Studio

As a transit oriented public agency, MassDOT constructs and maintains public roads, highways, viaducts, and transit infrastructure. While this initiative creates new positive public spaces, MassDOT cannot simply build ‘parks’. As such, the full design of Infra-Space 1 aims to re-organize and re-purpose transportation infrastructure material and design standards in novel ways to shape a more beneficial public realm, where: Multi-modal paths (mobility infrastructure) + Stormwater management landscapes (environmental infrastructure) + Lighting (Safety Infrastructure) = Quality urban realm & public access landscape (akin to a ‘Park’).

Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Image 7 of 25
Courtesy of Landing Studio

This program also uses an innovative financing model. While construction was funded by the state transportation agency, the investment is recovered through revenue from parking facilities located in lower-clearance, lower-light areas of the viaduct. Stormwater management and public access areas are on the other hand located where there are more light and space to support them.

Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio - Interior Photography, Beam
Courtesy of Landing Studio

Project gallery

See allShow less

Project location

Address:Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Click to open map
Location to be used only as a reference. It could indicate city/country but not exact address.
About this office
Cite: "Infra-Space 1 / Landing Studio" 05 Apr 2019. ArchDaily. Accessed . <https://www.archdaily.com/911262/infra-space-1-landing-studio> ISSN 0719-8884

You've started following your first account!

Did you know?

You'll now receive updates based on what you follow! Personalize your stream and start following your favorite authors, offices and users.