The Christian Science Plaza
IBI Group is working on the revitalization of the historic 10-acre Plaza and reflecting pool.
Client
The First Church of Christ, ScientistLocation
Boston, MAIBI Group is leading a multi-disciplinary consultant team for the revitalization of The Christian Science Plaza, one of Boston’s most iconic landscapes designed in the 1970s by Architects I.M. Pei and Araldo Cosutta. The Plaza was bestowed protected Landmark status by the Boston Landmarks Commission.
This renovation project is focused on the enhancement of the open space and called for a sophisticated eye for design as well as a strong technical approach for the improvements, which includes:
- Preserving, repairing, and restoring the character-defining features of this landmark landscape
- Reconstructing the reflecting pool with an improved basin paving that will enhance reflectivity and four-season interest, while also repairing the waterproofing for the garage below
- Making the Plaza entrances more welcoming
- Improving wayfinding and Plaza identity
- Introducing amenities to extend year-round use
- Expanding seating opportunities
- Increasing softscape and pervious surfaces
- Initiating extensive water conservation and management measures
- Improving pedestrian circulation and accessibility through grading, paving, and lighting renovations
- Upgrading all utility systems
Services and Project Types
Project Leaders
John Amodeo
Principal, Landscape Architecture
Boston, MA
John Amodeo LEED AP has over 30 years of experience in landscape architecture and practices a wide range of project types from small to complex, in both the public and private sectors. His varied project types include college and university campuses, parks, market and public housing, historic landscapes, streetscapes, bikeways, and natural resource conservation. He has also prepared landscape development guidelines for municipalities with particular emphasis on sustainable development.
John has extensive experience with public process and regulatory permitting, placing particular focus on consensus building in the early phases of a project.
Since 1997, John has also been a Commissioner on the Boston Landmark Commission and the South End Landmark District Commission.