Fenway Performing Arts Center

The project proposes an experimental Theater and Performing Arts Center in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood—an area renowned for its entertainment venues, cultural vibrancy, and the iconic Red Sox stadium across the street. The site, located at 132 Ipswich Street at the junction with Lansdowne Street, occupies a highly visible and active urban corner.

Conceived as more than a theater, the building functions as a community hub that celebrates the performing arts while fostering everyday neighborhood life. At street level, it integrates a cafeteria, art gallery, and rentable event space, activating the ground plane with diverse programs. A rooftop terrace and bar provide panoramic 180-degree views of the city, extending the theater’s social reach beyond performances. The main theater accommodates 200 seats, designed for intimacy and flexibility.

The façade strategy emphasizes openness and continuity: a transparent ground-level glass façade blurs the boundary between inside and outside, allowing passersby to glimpse performances and community activity. The massing aligns with the curvature of Ipswich Street, stitching the project into the existing urban fabric while promoting a fluid pedestrian flow. A generous public stair doubles as a gathering space and an informal stage for outdoor performances, reinforcing the idea of theater as a civic, everyday experience.