East Boston Maritime Center

The project envisions the creation of a community space that honors East Boston’s natural environment, historical legacy, urban landscape, and diverse social fabric. It addresses the challenges of future sea-level rise while preserving key site features, including the remnants of an old shipyard, its dry dock, and the rich history of the shipbuilding industry.

At its core, the proposal includes a museum dedicated to nautical art and history, designed to strengthen the community’s connection to its maritime past. Complementing the museum are two pavilions: one serving as a flexible venue for neighborhood events, and the other dedicated to recreational programming, particularly water sports.

The architectural approach emphasizes the use of wood framing and heavy timber structures, drawing inspiration from both Kengo Kuma’s design philosophy and the project “The Nest We Grow” by Berkeley students. Together, these references informed a design that merges cultural storytelling, environmental resilience, and communal life into a cohesive civic space.