My daughter Vitoria and I decided to have an adventure as we often do. We spent far too long looking at Google Maps, scouring Boston Central and The Globe for something interesting to do on a recent sunny day. Then I remembered my friend and fellow Realtor, David Hannon at Prudential recently reminded me about The Mapparium at the Christian Science Mother Church near the Boston Symphony Hall on Massachusetts Ave. In the 17 plus years I have lived in Jamaica Plain, I have for some unexplained reason, never been there.

Christian Science Mother Church

If you haven’t had the pleasure, I would strongly recommend it. To be frank, it’s a little intimidating. I know the church well as it is quite imposing and impossible to miss as you traverse Mass Ave. I think the lack of adornment, grass, fences or much of anything until you reach the front door helps accentuate the sheer mass of the building.

Our goal was a huge globe in which you are allowed passage through the center! We excitedly marched up to the front door and a man with a beautiful smile and outstretched arm greeted us. He told us there was a service going on but we could take an elevator up and catch the end of it. I was worried he would think I was some wacko because I was wearing a green army jacket, fur-lined Elmer Fudd hat and carrying a huge camera. Frankly I was expecting two men in black suits, wearing wires to grab my arms and usher me out.

I was curious about the interior architecture so I said, “what the heck.” The elevator doors opened to a mezzanine and the sun poured in, was funneled down to nearly nothing as it was pinched through a few portals to the interior. As soon as you pass the first few pews the space opens up again to a breath-taking room. This would be about where the railing is above the columns in the picture to the right. A woman kindly, but with intent thrust a hymn book into my hands and motioned to an empty seat. I have to be honest, that I have heard better singing but that wasn’t why I was there.

I’ve been to churches, cathedrals and basilicas all over the world and this is my favorite. Not unadorned by any means but intentional. I must admit I was drawn to the powerful architecture. A stark contrast to the interior of the Trinity Episcopal Church on Copley Plaza for example. This was brilliant but focused. Dare I say “American” if there is such a thing?

As soon as there was a pause in the music we took our leave and sought out to find the Mapparium. You’ll find the giant globe more directly by entering the wing to the left of the church (standing in front facing it) where you are greeted by a reception desk. Tours head out every 15 minutes or so. Buy your ticket and head around the corner the lobby to meet your guide. I’m not sure if all the guides are lacking enthusiasm, but ours certainly was. No matter, show us the map young lady. A solid looking door opens and you are lead into the middle of the Mapparium. A long gangway bisects the globe apparently suspended by nothing but it’s attachment points at either end. A light and sound

The interior of the Mapparium at the Christian Science Mother Church

show commence impressing upon the viewer just how big (or small) our planet is. The experience is pleasantly disorienting. When the show is over in a few minutes, you are allowed to discuss whatever nonsense you like with your comrades to test out the “surround sound” qualities of the globe when standing directly in the center. Your voice comes back you with more vigor than it left I attest! The glass panels seemingly reverberate it back at your chest and you feel as if speaking has become an out of body experience. The whole experience was over far sooner than I’d hoped – but I’ll be back. Probably with the next out-of-town-visitors that I must entertain.

Just another wonderful treasure we have in Boston. I feel very lucky to be able to roll out of my front door, walk a couple blocks to the Forest Hills T and within 15 minutes from Jamaica Plain, all of Boston is at my finger tips. I would have gotten better pictures (sorry) but it was absolutely freezing! I couldn’t stay outdoors for more than a few minutes. The wind through this corridor is very strong and will push you right over.

I’d really like to go back to the church at some point when it is not in use. I really didn’t explore it at all for obvious reasons but it deserves it’s own trip. I did my best to read and listen to all of the material they had but to be honest, I’m still not really sure what Christian Science is all about. No, I did not see Tom Cruise, but yes, I was watching for him.

The Mother Church with the Boston skyline in the background

Reuse, Recycle, Reclaim - Starbucks finds a new home.

I happened to notice an article while surfing inexpensive ways to build my dream home and came across this little diddy. Apparently Starbucks is getting wiser on all fronts. The idea of re-purposing shipping containers has been around a long time – my favorite website for this type of design is www.fabprefab.com. They have a whole section devoted to shipping containers here. Be prepared to lose 2 hours of your life if you visit that website.

Anyway, Starbucks, great idea. Now how am I going to find a client who needs a Buyer’s Agent to build one of these fantastical dwellings in Jamaica Plain?

I’m very excited about the “open house” I’ll be attending tomorrow on New York City’s Lower East Side. Im a bit bummed they don’t allow photography but regardless I’m very excited about the opportunity to see how people lived during this era. Supposedly the Tenement Museum is basically a time capsule of the early 20th century home.

I’ll append to this post after my visit.

Great idea I found on Apartment Therapy.

reblogged from somewhere, added my own pictures (except for the one of the old man himself).

Photos from my recent visit to the Walter Gropius House & The Architects Collaborative subdivision at Six Moons Hill:  

Walter Gropius, founder of the German design school known as the Bauhaus, was one of the most influential architects of the twentieth century. He designed the Gropius House as his family home when he came to Massachusetts to teach architecture at Harvard’s Graduate School of Design.

Walter Gropius

Modest in scale, the house was revolutionary in impact. It combined the traditional elements of New England architecture—wood, brick, and fieldstone—with innovative materials rarely used in domestic settings at that time, including glass block, acoustical plaster, chrome banisters, and the latest technology in fixtures.  In keeping with Bauhaus philosophy, every aspect of the house and its surrounding landscape was planned for maximum efficiency and simplicity of design. The house contains a significant collection of furniture designed by Marcel Breuer and fabricated in the Bauhaus workshops. With the family’s possessions still in place, the Gropius House has a sense of immediacy and intimacy.
***
Six Moon Hill is a residential community dwelling that was designed by The Architects’ Collaborative (TAC) and is located in Lexington, Massachusetts.

Originally conceived in 1947 to house the young architects of TAC, Six Moon Hill has now grown to 29 housing lots, the most recent of which was completed in 2004. To build the community, TAC established a nonprofit corporation and bought 20 acres (81,000 m2) on which to build. It took the name from the six antique Moon Motor Car automobiles the previous owner had stored on the property.

 

The first houses were designed and built in a modernistic way. The method of design was rectangular, flat-roofed, timber-sided homes, which was typical for residences designed by TAC. The houses are situated on a sloping hill lining a small road that forms a cul-de-sac.

 

The Big Dig House at Six Moon Hill

Six Moon Hill runs as a consensus-based, collective community in which each member family pays dues and is concerned with community issues. Among the original architects (and residents) were Benjamin C. Thompson, Norman C. Fletcher, Jean B. Fletcher, John C. Harkness, Sarah P. Harkness, Robert S. McMillan, Louis A. McMillen and Richard S. Morehouse. Other notable residents include Nobel chemist Konrad Bloch, Nobel physicist Samuel C.C. Ting, Dr. Thomas C. Chalmers (past president of the Mount Sinai Medical Center), Wallace E. Howell (New York City’s first official rainmaker), Robert Newman (co-founder of Bolt Beranek and Newman) and John C. Sheehan, the first chemist to synthesize penicillin.

 

The Ford House

Art historian Simon Schama lived on Moon Hill between 1981 and 1993 and described it as “a great place for kids and historians” in a 2010 interview with the Times of London.

I’ve been following the online conversations about Casey Overpass and speaking to a few locals. It seems the overpass is a crucial design problem for local authorities. In my opinion, it’s a make it or break it challenge for the future of Forest Hills. An outstanding design that is welcoming and solves the unbearable traffic issues in the area would transform the area and produce revenue and strengthen property values and the tax base for decades. On the flip side, get it wrong and Forest Hills could easily go down the drain.

There are so many design challenges in this city that go unmet. Instead of holding out for the long ball, impatience and short-sighted frugality tend to ruin the process. I’ve seen it many times right here in Jamaica Plain. I sincerely hope the Forest Hills residents are vocal and get some say in how they want their neighborhood to look and function. I’m reblogging an article from Patch here for your convenience:

That’s right. We’re packing it in, shuttin’ it down. We’re dropping the hammer. Closing the doors, turning out the lights, we’re throwing in the towel. Calling it a day.

No, we’re not giving up real estate – just some bad habits. Namely, using way too much paper and fuel. There’s a lot of tradition [read obsolescence] in my business. Folks aren’t all that open to electronic signatures yet, but that’s the way of the future. The Boston Home Team is going paperless. Well, not completely all at once, but we’re going that direction. As soon as we can come up with a viable alternative for property information sheets at open houses I think we’ll about have this problem licked. In the meantime, all of our contracts, offers, purchase & sale documents, etc. will be completely paperless. Electronic signatures are better all around. Thanks to the Esign Act of 2000 (I know! Who knew this has been around more than a decade!):

Electronic and digital signatures are just as binding as traditional pen and ink signatures as long as they are executed through a process that clearly establishes intent to sign and ensures all legal elements of proof. Furthermore, electronic signatures obtained through DocuSign are compliant with the federal Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act of 2000 (ESIGN) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA) which has been adopted in most states. As a result, they are legally binding and backed by a comprehensive audit trail. – Docusign FAQ

Basically, we can now generate any document, mark it up for initials and signatures and send it on it’s way. It ravels from one signer to the next until completely executed at which point it turns into a PDF and Presto! Everyone gets a copy in their inbox. Not even the Devil himself is this efficient when harvesting souls. I’ll bet he doesn’t even provide a copy of the contract.

Jamaica Plain kicks off 2011 with the addition of Bartlett Square

2010 was box office year for Jamaica Plain real estate. There were certainly some ups and downs and working with the banks has been no cake walk – but Jamaica Plain homes have held in there for the long haul. JP has that certain je ne sais quoi that can be found no where else in Boston.

Although the commercial side of Jamaica Plain had some shake ups along Centre and South Streets, and there’s some controversy over the new Whole Foods market scheduled to fill the Hi-Lo space, the east side of the MBTA tracks is still decidedly lacking restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, etc. making those locations somewhat less desirable due to the distance to amenities. However, it look like Jamaica Plain might be inching closer to a balanced commercial and retail base as several large projects move forward

While I reserve my opinions on some of the proposed and partially completed projects for a later date, some of them I find downright exciting. I happen to live on Amory Street near The Brewery and the new project at Bartlett Square has my eye.

I attended one of the community meetings when the project was in the planning stage and I was immediately impressed with how well Maple Hurst Builders handled the design integration with the surrounding buildings not to mention the complicated traffic and parking issues in the area. I held my breath that the project would pull through and maintain the overall “spirit” that had been proposed at that meeting. It has surpassed all expectations thus far.

I was immediately impressed with how well Maple Hurst Builders handled the design integration of Bartlett Square with the surrounding buildings, not to mention the complicated traffic and parking issues in the area.

I’ve done a lot of traveling throughout the United States, paying special attention to the architecture and infrastructure of various places along the way. It’s something I find very interesting, and to be frank, after visiting some of these places, parts of Boston are underwhelming in terms of development. It seems that often in an attempt to maintain strict planning and zoning rules in an effort to maintain a rigid historic Boston vernacular – the overall city suffers. I yearn for more creativity and variance but it is so rare.

Enters Bartlett Square. Don’t get me wrong, it’s no Frank Gehry fantasy (not a fan actually) but rather a very well designed addition to the neighborhood. The project fits nicely with the rows of old brick buildings between Amory and Washington Streets while tipping it’s hat to a more and more eco-conscious, modernist market.

Specializing in the redevelopment of under-utilized urban properties, Maple Hurst Builders has earned particular acclaim for the development, design and construction of in-fill projects that enhance their respective Boston neighborhoods by artfully blending classic architecture with contemporary details.

Each residence crafted by Maple Hurst Builders is distinctive, featuring amenities and workmanship typically reserved for custom-built homes.

Respect for the environment has always been an integral element of the design and construction of every project. Green building and sustainable construction are not merely marketing terms at Maple Hurst Builders. Resource and energy conservation, judicious use of materials and permanence of the structure are paramount. Maple Hurst Builders always will strive to deliver properties of unsurpassed value and enduring beauty.

The development at Bartlett Square is pursuing a rigorous eco-conscious design including solar panels that will support hot water and common electric needs, bike storage, a Kone “eco-efficient” elevator, Energy Star appliances, high efficiency heating and cooling and vegetative green roof, etc.

Bartlett Square employs serious eco-conscious design

In addition to the 13 condo units (two of which are affordable units per city of Boston guidelines) there will be three desperately needed retail spaces ranging from 775 SF to 1875 SF. I’m swooning at the mere idea of some healthy food options. Personally, I have my eye on a certain live foods restaurant. I suppose what stores go in will have a dramatic effect on the area and help determine the personality of that portion of the neighborhood.

I believe this section of Jamaica Plain has some amazing history and architecture, setting it apart from the more bucolic JP that is west of the MBTA line. The Brewery District and abutting neighborhoods seem to have the potential to be something like Williamsburg in Brooklyn or parts of Portland, OR. I like the grittier feel and the antique brick structures.

Locationally, the project is the bomb. Some of my favorite places in Jamaica Plain are all within walking distance. Just a few doors down from a little bodega and a block from Canto 6 with it’s steamed up windows and ridiculously mouth watering pastries and sandwiches. BMS Paper is Valhalla for party people. One of the best kept secrets in Boston IMO. You can get anything from industrial kitchen supplies to wine glasses for about $.50 each. I’m saving up for the “diner” plates they have. You know, those thick, heavy plain white plates and cups that are so strong they last for 50 years? Next on the list is Axiom Center for New and Experimental Media.

AXIOM is located at the corner of Green and Armory Streets. The gallery is on the ground floor level of the Green Street train stop on the Orange line at 141 Green St. A little about Axiom from their website:

Axiom was founded in 2004 by Heidi Kayser as an artist’s collective who originally exhibited work in a collaborative studio space. From 2005 to 2009, Axiom grew into a non-profit center whose mission is to support and nurture cutting-edge contemporary art practice through exhibitions, events, education and collaboration.

In 2010, Axiom merged with Boston Cyberarts, the organizers of the renowned biennial festival, the Boston Cyberarts Festival.

In 2011, Axiom returns to a collaborative management practice by forming the new Axiom Group, a collective of artists who curate exhibitions and events, provide educational programming, exhibit their own work, and participate in day-to-day operations. We are not currently accepting new members, but we love short term volunteers! If you are interested in volunteering or interning, (up to three college credits available) contact us: info@axiomart.org.

From the gallery at Green Street station, heading north up a gorgeous bike and pedestrian path takes you right by The Brewery complex which is home to some of Jamaica Plain’s favorite businesses. Bella Luna and the Milky Way pump out the best hand made galactic eats this side of the galaxy. You can’t go wrong with a Simple Simon and one of the Sam Adams brew made specially for this establishment. Next door is Ula Cafe, a treasure trove of delectable breakfast yummy treats and creatively combined sandwiches. Everything there seems to be fair trade, consciously sourced, etc. Stop in for an excellent cup a Joe and free Wi-Fi. When you’ve had your fill of some exotic strada or your favorite – the bacon, cheddar and chive scones, and you’re feeling a bit lumpy, you can jog upstairs to the massive Mike’s Fitness. Mike’s is a great gym and you’ll find, like the rest of Jamaica Plain, Mike’s is pretty diverse. Anyone will feel comfortable working out here. My favorite spot is on the recumbant bike or the Cybex elliptical in front of the huge windows overlooking the MBTA tracks and the Southwest Corridor.

As the project proceeds, I’ll keep you informed with more updates. If you have any questions in the meantime don’t hesitate to ask. If you’d like to hear it from the horse’s mouth in person, you can speak to the developers of Bartlett Square at the 1st Annual Jamaica Plain Home Energy Fair, Saturday March 5th, 9:30-1 pm at Bella Luna.