JUNE UPDATE
SIZE (SPACE FOR BUILDINGS / LANDSCAPE COMPONENT) WATER
VIEW(S)
PROXIMITY TO CITY SURROUNDINGS
NATURAL FEATURES / TOPOGRAPHY
AN APPROACH TO THE SUBLIME OF DEATH STEVE PRESTON
SITE SELECTION ATTRIBUTES / CRITERIA
MEASURABLE
UNMEASURABLE
UNIQUENESS TEMPO
(NON PHYSICAL) CONNECTION TO NATURE AMBIENCE
TRANSCENDENCE SPECIAL QUALITIES
CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS
Google Map Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Boston,+MA+(Boston)&sll=38.393339,-74.685059&sspn=13. 31807,16.743164&ie=UTF8&ll=42.361398,-71.11536&spn=0.047502,0.098104&t=k&z=14
There are sites along the Charles River between Cambridge and Watertown that may be suitable for a cemetery / crematorium. There are some nice pockets of land along each side of the river. Some of the areas are already designated as city park, and some are part of the Charles River Conservancy.
One of the negative aspects of these sites is that they are tightly bound between the river and the busy streets that are located alongside it (Soldiers Field Road, Nonantum Road, Memorial Drive, Greenough Blvd., Charles River Road, etc.).
PROS
River and surroundings are beautiful in spots Proximity to Boston
Access
Walking / biking / recreation path
CONS
Sites are narrow
Busy streets alongside the river Views
Images from the Charles River (refer to map for location):
1
2
4/5
6
33
7
NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Google Map Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=newton+ma&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=53.300127,68.6 42578&ie=UTF8&ll=42.325491,-71.176493&spn=0.012279,0.024912&t=k&z=16&iwloc=A
I happened to be on Hammond Pond Parkway this past weekend. The rock out-croppings and thick woods a short distance from Newton Center were memorable. I looked on the map, and assume the area I drove through was the Hammond Pond Reserve. Hammond Pond Reserve dates back to 1650 and can be easily accessed via the Green Line (Chestnut Hills Station). It’s 114 acres in size and has a pond (obviously), a bog, walking and hiking trails, etc.
PROS Woods Pond and bog Rock out-croppings Green Line stop Quiet and peaceful
CONS
Chestnut Hill Mall
Chestnut Hill Mall traffic / train noise
Distance from Boston (maybe too remote / suburban?) Current status as a reserve
A large number of trees would need to be cut down Relatively flat site
CLOVELLY (SYDNEY), AUSTRALIA
Google Map Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?t=h&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=-33.914553,151.270323&spn=0.003446,0.005482&z=18
Sydney Bondi Beach Clovelly Bay / Shark Point
Bondi Beach is a popular beach to the East of Sydney’s city center. South of Bondi Beach/Bay is a small area called Clovelly. A 3 Km costal walk adjoins these two areas. There is a very interesting site called “sharks point” on the tip of Clovelly Bay that juts out into the ocean. The green vegetation and stepped landscape of the inland portion of the site give way to rocky cliffs extending into the ocean. Just North of “sharks point” is Waverley Cemetery which opened in 1877. It’s a massive (and seemingly out-of-place and ugly) 41 acre cemetery containing 50,000 grave sites.
PROS
Ocean, Coastal Walk (and integration), Expansive Views Topography (Dynamic Site)
Undeveloped (for the most part) Site as an edge condition 10 to 15 acre site
CONS Access
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Google Map Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=fort+point,&sll=42.353089,-71.055386&sspn=0.012274,0.02 4526&ie=UTF8&t=h&radius=0.63&rq=1&ll=42.34941,-71.05161&spn=0.012274,0.024526&z=16
I came across some large expanses of parking lot in the Fort Point Area of South Boston that I thought had some potential as sites, but in person, they were underwhelming. I don’t think the channel there is a very nice area, and the surroundings certainly leave something to be desired. There are no real views to speak of unless the site was adjacent to the ocean, but then the view is only of Logan Airport.
PROS
Vast expanses of area (parking lots) for transformation Proximity to downtown Boston
Potential for large green space in South Boston ‘Flour’ bakery nearby (best brownies ever)
CONS No views
Unpleasant industrial area Logan Airport
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS
Google Map Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Boston,+MA+(Boston)&sll=38.393339,-74.685059&sspn=13. 31807,16.743164&ie=UTF8&ll=42.347824,-71.035452&spn=0.023756,0.049052&t=k&z=15
MASSPORT is located in Boston, MA. The Massachusetts Port Authority (MASSPORT) is a world-class independent public authority which develops, promotes and manages airports, the seaport and transportation infrastructure to enable Massachusetts and New England to compete successfully in the global marketplace (http://www.massport.com/)
Specifically, there is an area to the north of the port that is comprised of old warehouses, abandoned sites, and aging dry-docks. I find the area very interesting and unique because it is fairly close to downtown Boston, but has a completely different character and personality. While not a ready-made site, I keep coming back to this area because of the shear potential.
PROS
Vast expanses of area for transformation Potential for something interesting
Surrounding areas currently being (re)developed (ICA, etc.) Is an area of transformation, rebirth, progress
CONS
View and noise of/from Logan airport Industrial area
