Columbia Point, Boston Redevelopment
Harvard University - Graduate School Of Design (AMDP Team Project)
Composed of five individuals from across the world, Scott Hechlik and Dean Kahremanis served as team leaders. Dean Kahremanis also assumed role of lead design architect to organize, direct, and execute the following team vision, while Scott led the formation of the Pro forma financial analysis.
Columbia Point is a forward-thinking, highly innovative “blue zone” community, distinguished by a focus on holistic health and well-being. A creative hub within a city, achieving a balance between world-class architectural design, pedestrian-centered urban planning, effective transportation, and inhabitant centered recreational and technological features. Our Columbia Point Development Proposal strives to integrate the following key objectives: 1) To integrate into adjacent communities, 2) To provide a walkable community, 3) To research and integrate market dynamics, 4) To enhance public and vehicular transportation, 5) To thrive as an economically prosperous model community, 6) To orient views towards Columbia Bay, and 7) To implement green parks and gardens into the design solution.
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The concept sketch divides the expansive 58-acre site into distinct community zones and waterfront attractions to create a balanced and engaging environment. The site is segmented into four primary community areas:
Residential Villages
Clustered neighborhoods composed of mixed use retail, multi-family living. Low-rise apartments—offer diversity and scale appropriate to the context. Each village features shared green spaces and pedestrian pathways to encourage connectivity and neighborhood interaction.Central Community Hub
A centrally located district with amenities such as a community center, local retail shops, café spaces, and recreational facilities. This area acts as the social and cultural heart of the development, designed for easy accessibility from all residential zones through walkways and bike lanes.Educational and Civic Zone
Dedicated parcels for a future school, library, and public services provide foundational infrastructure supporting community growth. Proximity to the residential clusters ensures convenience and promotes a walkable layout.Environmental Green Spaces & Parks
Interspersed throughout the site, these open areas preserve natural features, provide playgrounds, picnic spots, and walking trails. Native landscaping buffers residential zones from waterfront activity, enhancing privacy and ecological health.
Waterfront Attractions
The waterfront edge is segmented into several defined experiences to maximize engagement and enhance lifestyle quality:
Marina & Boating Access
A marina with docking slips supports recreational boating and water sports activities. Adjacent rental facilities for kayaks, paddleboards, and small sailboats provide active programming.Fishing Piers and Viewing Platforms
Strategically placed piers create tranquil fishing spots and scenic lookouts. These structures integrate seating and shelter to accommodate varied uses throughout the day.Waterfront Promenade and Dining District
A continuous pedestrian promenade lined with restaurants, casual eateries, and retail kiosks promotes vibrant social interaction. Outdoor seating areas overlook the water, creating a seasonal focal point for residents and visitors.Public Beach and Swimming Area
Designated sandy beach sections with lifeguarded swimming zones foster family-friendly recreation. Supporting amenities include changing rooms, showers, and shaded rest areas.
By segmenting the site into walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with clearly defined yet interconnected waterfront attractions, the concept emphasizes community vitality, sustainability, and enhanced quality of life. The arrangement ensures all residents enjoy close access to both neighborhood amenities and scenic waterfront experiences.
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The concept sketch divides the expansive 58-acre site into distinct community zones and waterfront attractions to create a balanced and engaging environment. The site is segmented into four primary community areas:
Residential Villages
Clustered neighborhoods composed of mixed use retail, multi-family living. Low-rise apartments—offer diversity and scale appropriate to the context. Each village features shared green spaces and pedestrian pathways to encourage connectivity and neighborhood interaction.Central Community Hub
A centrally located district with amenities such as a community center, local retail shops, café spaces, and recreational facilities. This area acts as the social and cultural heart of the development, designed for easy accessibility from all residential zones through walkways and bike lanes.Educational and Civic Zone
Dedicated parcels for a future school, library, and public services provide foundational infrastructure supporting community growth. Proximity to the residential clusters ensures convenience and promotes a walkable layout.Environmental Green Spaces & Parks
Interspersed throughout the site, these open areas preserve natural features, provide playgrounds, picnic spots, and walking trails. Native landscaping buffers residential zones from waterfront activity, enhancing privacy and ecological health.
Waterfront Attractions
The waterfront edge is segmented into several defined experiences to maximize engagement and enhance lifestyle quality:
Marina & Boating Access
A marina with docking slips supports recreational boating and water sports activities. Adjacent rental facilities for kayaks, paddleboards, and small sailboats provide active programming.Fishing Piers and Viewing Platforms
Strategically placed piers create tranquil fishing spots and scenic lookouts. These structures integrate seating and shelter to accommodate varied uses throughout the day.Waterfront Promenade and Dining District
A continuous pedestrian promenade lined with restaurants, casual eateries, and retail kiosks promotes vibrant social interaction. Outdoor seating areas overlook the water, creating a seasonal focal point for residents and visitors.Public Beach and Swimming Area
Designated sandy beach sections with lifeguarded swimming zones foster family-friendly recreation. Supporting amenities include changing rooms, showers, and shaded rest areas.
By segmenting the site into walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with clearly defined yet interconnected waterfront attractions, the concept emphasizes community vitality, sustainability, and enhanced quality of life. The arrangement ensures all residents enjoy close access to both neighborhood amenities and scenic waterfront experiences.
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The expansion of Huntington Place, along with the addition of a new 750-room hotel and the extension of Second Street to the waterfront, is creating a seamless, walkable destination perfect for festivals, markets, and vibrant urban living (highlighted in green). Additionally, a new waterfront apartment building is planned (highlighted in red).
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The expansion of Huntington Place, along with the addition of a new 750-room hotel and the extension of Second Street to the waterfront, is creating a seamless, walkable destination perfect for festivals, markets, and vibrant urban living (highlighted in green). Additionally, a new waterfront apartment building is planned (highlighted in red).
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We focus on creating and leading a new, uncontested market within the commercial real estate industry. We aim to redefine the value proposition and challenge the status quo, moving beyond traditional competition to carve out untapped market spaces.
The Blue Ocean Strategy was developed through the research of W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne.
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We focus on creating and leading a new, uncontested market within the commercial real estate industry. We aim to redefine the value proposition and challenge the status quo, moving beyond traditional competition to carve out untapped market spaces.
The Blue Ocean Strategy was developed through the research of W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne.
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The site plan’s aerial view offers a compelling perspective on the strategic proximity to the bustling downtown business district. It clearly highlights connectivity, where urban energy meets development potential. Adjacent to this hub, the Huntington Place expansion sites emerge as pivotal growth zones, underscoring opportunities for increased commercial activity and community engagement. This visual narrative not only maps current landmarks but also situates the project within a dynamic landscape of innovation and expansion, emphasizing accessibility and forward-thinking urban integration.
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The expansion of Huntington Place, along with the addition of a new 750-room hotel and the extension of Second Street to the waterfront, is creating a seamless, walkable destination perfect for festivals, markets, and vibrant urban living (highlighted in green). Additionally, a new waterfront apartment building is planned (highlighted in red).
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We focus on creating and leading a new, uncontested market within the commercial real estate industry. We aim to redefine the value proposition and challenge the status quo, moving beyond traditional competition to carve out untapped market spaces.
Four categories define our Blue Ocean Strategy:
Eliminate - Prioritize eliminating ineffective office practices
Reduce- Reduce non-essential office elements
Raise - Elevate amenities that directly serve the needs of the hybrid workforce
Create - Design and integrate innovative ideas that reshape the commercial real estate landscape
The Blue Ocean Strategy was developed through the research of W. Chan Kim and Renée Mauborgne.
Designed to foster community living, working, and recreation
Residential units are thoughtfully arranged to balance privacy with communal engagement, featuring shared amenities that support social activities and neighborhood bonding. Workspaces are adaptable, promoting flexibility for various professional needs while facilitating networking and collaboration.
Recreational zones are strategically distributed to offer diverse opportunities for relaxation, fitness, and cultural events, enhancing overall well-being. Green spaces and pedestrian-friendly pathways connect all components, reinforcing sustainable and healthy living practices.
This holistic approach ensures that community members can seamlessly live, work, and enjoy leisure activities in a supportive, integrated environment.
Entering Columbia Point from local community parks and public transportation hubs encourages active transportation and exercise along a thoughtfully designed walkable skyway. This elevated pedestrian path guides visitors and residents alike to a central outdoor gathering space featuring waterfront retail and dining options. The design of all community blocks prioritizes walkability, with significantly shorter block lengths compared to traditional automobile-oriented developments, making navigation by foot more intuitive and enjoyable.
The Outdoor Waterfront Amphitheater serves as a key destination on the water, equipped with docking facilities for boats. This venue is intended as a vibrant focal point for both the local community and visitors, offering a scenic setting for outdoor concerts, festivals, and cultural events. By integrating active transportation, retail, dining, and arts, Columbia Point creates a dynamic and accessible waterfront experience that strengthens community connections and promotes healthy, sustainable living.
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According to Alex Sooting-Kim Pang, Stanford Professor and author of the book Rest, the effective work week is approximately (20 hours), opposed to a 40-80 hours. Productivity and intense focus over short periods of time must be balanced with rest, relaxation, and recovery. We are creating a third environment - conducive to creativity and enhanced productivity to align remote and office workers
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Research shows remote workers feel isolated, so we partnered with Cisco WebEx to deliver advanced mobile workstations and video conferencing for hybrid offices. Cisco’s technology shaped our Hybrid Office of the Future design, enhancing communication between on-site and remote teams.
Harvard University - Graduate School Of Design (AMDP Team Project)
Composed of five individuals from across the world, Scott Hechlik and Dean Kahremanis served as team leaders. Dean Kahremanis also assumed role of lead design architect to organize, direct, and execute the following team vision, while Scott led the formation of the Pro forma financial analysis.
Columbia Point is a forward-thinking, highly innovative “blue zone” community, distinguished by a focus on holistic health and well-being. A creative hub within a city, achieving a balance between world-class architectural design, pedestrian-centered urban planning, effective transportation, and inhabitant centered recreational and technological features. Our Columbia Point Development Proposal strives to integrate the following key objectives: 1) To integrate into adjacent communities, 2) To provide a walkable community, 3) To research and integrate market dynamics, 4) To enhance public and vehicular transportation, 5) To thrive as an economically prosperous model community, 6) To orient views towards Columbia Bay, and 7) To implement green parks and gardens into the design solution.
Columbia Point Site Map
The Columbia Point site is located near the JFK Library. Anticipation of water transportation from Boston to Columbia Point was evaluated.
Master Plan Sketch
Concept sketch to break-down massive 58 acre project site into community areas and waterfront attractions.
Waterfront Site
Master Plan redevelopment design concept for a 58 acre waterfront site.
Program Requirements
Program requirements included the following: 1) Land acquisition and division research, 2) Public-private partnership negotiations between City of Boston Port Authority and development team, 3) Market analysis, and 4) Pro forma financial analysis (soft and hard costs) + (profit & loss analysis).
A Large-Scale, Multi-Use Community Development Plan
We designed Columbia Point to become a destination attraction for visitors, as well as business and retail areas, to support the local community.
A Multi-Phased Construction Plan
A ten year $3.3 billion construction phasing plan, requiring written public-private agreements.
Green Roofs Over Multi-Family Residential Community
A “Blue Zone” is defined as a community that brings all age groups together to create a healthier lifestyle. Several “Blue Zones” have been designated throughout the world. Green roof-top gardens offer opportunity for residents to gather, walk, grow, and sell organic fruits and vegetables to local communities. Since green roofs are rainwater absorbent, they reduce costly requirements for underground water detention.
Typical Multi-Family Residential Floor Plate
Several solutions were evaluated for one, two, and three bedroom apartment and condominium use, with shared balconies to promote intergenerational relationships.
7,850 Jobs Created For Local Community
A mixed-use large-scale community offers jobs to support local community.
Investment Analysis
Pro forma financial analysis (soft and hard costs) + (profit & loss analysis) provided for lenders and investor. A ten year $3.3 billion construction phasing plan, with creative methods to secure equity investment capital (return to Architecture & Development Advisory).
Skywalk Entrance To Columbia Point
Entering Columbia Point from local community parks and public transportation nodes, promotes exercise along a walkable skyway, that leads to a central outdoor gathering area with waterfront retail and restaurant areas. All community blocks are designed with a walkability factor, much smaller in length than blocks designed in the past to accommodate the automobile.
Outdoor Waterfront Amphitheater
A concept on the water for boats to dock, and a destination for the local community and visitors to enjoy outdoor concerts and festivals.
Copyright © 2019 Parabola Architecture + Development