• Who We Are
    • About Andrea
    • Philosophy
    • FAQ’s
    • Press
  • Portfolio
    • Cambridge Master Plan
    • Watertown Master Plan
    • Westport Retreat
    • Wellesley Master Plan
    • Boston Roofdeck
    • Brookline Residence
    • Charlestown Residence
    • Lexington New Construction
  • Services
  • Blog
  • Contact

The Rose Kennedy Greenway – Inspiring Urban Design

Nov, 2014
by Andrea Nilsen Morse
Comments are off

Last week, on a fairly brisk morning, I took a walk along the Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston.  I specifically went out to gather inspiration for a potential design project.  I had met, a few days earlier, with residents of a multi unit condo building in South Boston.  Their property has a huge area of unused, open green space (the size of a double city lot) that they want to turn in to a useable, beautiful space for the building residents.  As we talked about the potential program (space for seating and outdoor dining, privacy, a walkway to the adjacent street, perhaps a community garden and a dog run area) I kept thinking about public parks.  So, I went down to the Greenway to see what design elements might be relevant in a multi unit residential space.

It was fun, and I did find a lot of inspiring elements.  Here are a few of them!

IMG_0683

In this narrow section, plant beds are edged with sweeping curves of granite. A great way to create rhythm and interest in a long narrow space

IMG_0678

I love how these multi stemmed birch are planted in berms amidst the hardscape. Reminded me a bit of Martha Schwartz’s design for the Minneapolis Courtyard Plaza

IMG_0672

A great detail, this channel drain is beautiful and delineates two color tones in the hardscape

IMG_0692

The mural at Dewey Square Park is something that changes every year or so. This installation is titled Seven Moon Junction by Shinique Smith

IMG_0694

Community gardening and community eating, all in the same space. Brilliant!

IMG_0717

A great example of a mixed plant bed looking great in late Autumn/early Winter. This is a mix of Fothergilla, Aster and Amsonia underplanting different deciduous trees

IMG_0705

The gate to the Chinatown park area. What I love about this is the strong color, the simple sweep of grass and the use of structure as a transition.

About Andrea
Social Share
  • google-share

Search


Share This Post

Recent Posts

  • A Stately and Symmetrical Garden Design – HGTV’s Category Nominee
  • “Ultimate Grey” and “Illuminating” are the Colors of the Year for 2021
  • Four Things I Learned This Year – From My Clients!
  • Choosing Bulbs For Your Spring Garden
  • An Easy Trio of Drought Tolerant Plants

Categories

  • Garden
  • Home
  • Lifestyle
  • News
  • Uncategorized

© 2022 Nilsen Landscape Design, LLC | Boston, MA |

|

Sign up for our newsletter to
receive the latest updates in your inbox.

|