A Welcoming, Fully Accessible Boston City Hall Plaza Reopens to the Public
The transformed Plaza will serve as a welcoming civic heart for generations of Bostonians
波士顿人期待已久的市民空间改造项目，升级后的广场体现无障碍设计，是日常生活场所，也是节庆聚会地点
波士顿市政厅广场改造
When all phases of the City Hall Plaza renovation are complete, the plaza will be a prime venue in Boston to host a wide variety of civic and social events, while also serving as a welcoming everyday destination
由Sasaki与波士顿市长马丁・华殊（Martin J. Walsh）和波士顿市政府组成的合伙团队正对历史悠久的波士顿市政厅广场进行改造工程，占地2.8公顷的市政厅广场是全市最大的市民空间之一，从体育庆典、文化节目到政治集会，广场在过去半个世纪举办了大大小小的公众活动。然而，自二十世纪六十年代设计诞生以来，周边的城市环境变化了不少，市政设施的运营模式和公共安全标准也一直在提升，在这样的前提下，广场的基础设施便显得落后于二十一世纪的市民生活需求：尺度巨大的开放空间与阶梯式地面不仅无助于激活气氛，且与现代的无障碍设计原则违和。
2017年10月，市长华殊宣布推出“波士顿市政厅及广场总体规划研究：重构市政厅广场”项目，由Utile和Reed Hilderbrand两家设计事务所联手领导的研究工作，从长远角度为建成五十年的市政厅及市政厅广场定制未来三十年的总体规划策略，除提出一系列修缮措施外，团队更期望将基地升级为高效创新、提倡健康生活的市政设施，为波士顿居民和游客营造更好的公共空间。
While today a wall of granite steps greets visitors on Congress Street, the plaza’s future northeast corner gateway draws visitors up into the plaza via a universally accessible pathway, passing an exciting playscape, seating, wayfinding elements, and plantings along the way.
作为总体规划过程的一部分，市长华殊从2015年初便通过社交媒体和数十次咨询会征集民意，了解民众对重构广场的想法，至今以来，各方利益相关者都一直踊跃表达意见，这对项目的发展大有助益，其中麻萨诸塞湾交通局（MBTA）和美国总务管理局（GSA）的建议对项目至关重要，他们正同时为其他现代建筑和基地进行总体规划。
由Sasaki领导的市政厅广场改造项目属整个总体规划的一部分，正在进行的第一期改造工程主要为了提高广场的可达性，使其适合全体民众到访，同时优化旧有的功能内容，加入可持续的基础设施。新设计旨在利用一条无障碍的人行坡道连系国会大街（Congress Street）与剑桥大街（Cambridge Street），沿途绿荫处处，人们可在树下休憩、聚会，或到游乐空间和公共艺术空间等现代设施自得其乐，亮眼的水景设计更为场地注入生动活泼的气氛。主广场最多可容纳两万人，其灵活配置适合举办各种大型节目。
Increased tree canopy at the terraces along Cambridge Street frames striking views of the historic west façade of the building, while also helping to improve the plaza’s resilience to rising temperatures and intensifying storms. Intuitive, universally accessible pathways lead all visitors together into the heart of the plaza.
The design’s guiding principles
其他亮点改造措施还包括：
– 开放市政厅大楼北入口
– 优化广场入口的无障碍设计
– 优化演讲者之角（speakers corner）的设计
– 与波士顿水务及排水管理委员会合作，改善雨洪水处理
– 设计适用于各类表演活动的灵活舞台
Sasaki董事兼景观设计师伊莎贝尔·森佩尔表示：“一直以来，波士顿市政厅广场都是市民欢聚、庆祝和公开表达意见的场所，历经半世纪的广场在进行升级之后，将更符合二十一世纪的使用需求，更新后的基础设施和公共空间倍能实践可持续发展，但昔日的设计意图和历史内涵将依旧保留下来。改造后的广场更为通行可达，是全民共享的地方。”
波士顿市政厅广场改建项目由公共设施部下辖的运营小组以及物业管理部联合管理，并由业主的项目经理Skanska USA提供协助。
Phase 1 of the plaza’s renovation re-opens the North Entry, among other improvements
Originally intended to be a main public entrance to City Hall, the North Entry has been closed since September 11, 2001. The renovation will shift the lower glass façade subtly outwards to make space for a modern security screening station inside the lobby; seating, plantings, sculpture, and bike amenities in the entry court create a welcoming point of arrival for visitors.
Where today inaccessible stairs and ramp-stairs block access to the building’s main entrance and upper courtyard, the plaza renovation will open these areas up with universally accessible pathways as well as provide comfortable spaces to sit and observe the everyday life of the plaza
The design team’s plan for the plaza envisions public programming of all kinds, from large-scale events to small family outings
A new playscape invigorates fourteen vertical feet of existing granite steps between City Hall’s north entry and the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) terrace with active play opportunities that sculpturally reinterpret the modern-era concrete forms of the building. The playscape is a destination for the region’s families and visitors of all ages.
请登入波士顿市政厅广场网站，了解更多项目信息；另外，请点击此处详阅发表于2017年的“重构市政厅广场”总体规划研究报告。
From the main plaza, the Hanover Promenade slopes gently down nineteen vertical feet to Congress Street, replacing the historic pattern of granite stairs and brick terraces with an accessible route that hints at the original character. Shaded terraces featuring interactive public art offer comfortable new places to relax, play, and gather at the building’s edges.
A new “speaker’s corner” integrates with the historic ramping to provide the ideal platform for mayoral addresses, flag-raisings, and other important civic events at the front door of City Hall. When not in use for events, the platform provides comfortable seatwalls from which to observe the plaza. Universal access to the fourth floor terrace is built into the corner.
Nestled into the grade between Congress Street and the U.S. General Serves Administration (GSA) terrace above, a new civic pavilion will activate Congress Street, housing restrooms and mechanical support for the plaza, and providing ample room for community programming both inside as well as atop a roof terrace that opens onto the Cancer Garden of Hope.
The updates will modernize the historic Plaza with improved infrastructure, sustainability and public spaces while simultaneously honoring its original intentions and history as Boston’s place to gather, celebrate, and make residents’ voices heard.
The Boston City Hall Plaza Renovation project is managed through the City’s Operations Cabinet by the Public Facilities Department in partnership with the Property Management Department and is assisted by owners project manager Skanska USA.
The new terraces along Cambridge Street offer a view of activities on the main plaza and the prominent west façade of the building year round. Upgrades to the plaza’s infrastructure, security, loading capacity, durability, and accessibility make it easier to host a diverse range of events that welcome during all four seasons.
Construction on the plaza broke ground in July 2020 and is led by construction manager Shawmut Design and Construction.
For additional information about the City Hall Plaza Renovation project, visit boston.gov/city-hall-plaza. For more background on the Rethink City Hall Master Planning Study completed in 2017, visit www.rethinkcityhall.org.
想了解更多项目细节，请联系 Fiske Crowell.
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属于市民的广场：波士顿市政厅广场改造
Updates will bring the Plaza into the modern century with improved infrastructure, sustainability, and public spaces — honoring the plaza's 50-year history while making it a more accessible place for all
