About the Project

For the past two years, Lesley has been engaged in conversation with neighbors to move the Art Institute of Boston (AIB) to Porter Square.These conversations have focused on the site of the former North Prospect Church, at the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Roseland Street, which Lesley purchased in February of 2006.

The Cambridge-based architectural team at Bruner/Cott & Associates was selected to design the new Art Institute based largely on their experience in respectfully re-purposing historic buildings; their extensive portfolio of arts-related projects; their commitment to sustainable design principles; and their demonstrated capacity to work collaboratively with multiple constituents.

Lead architect Simeon Bruner is well-known for his work at Mass MoCA in North Adams, MA, and other projects nationally, as well as award-winning sustainable design and historic preservation projects in Cambridge.

Bruner/Cott initially worked with AIB to develop an understanding of what a new facility for AIB would require – to create spaces for teaching, learning and exhibition, in a manner that would enhance the character and economic vitality of Porter Square.

Together with Lesley, Bruner/Cott:

• Visited comparable art schools to assess teaching and learning spaces in the artistic disciplines offered by AIB
• Met with AIB faculty and students
• Joined community meetings held by Lesley, and at the Agassiz Baldwin Community and the Porter Square Neighbors Association for neighborhood input prior to any design work
• Completed site studies and researched the historic North Prospect Church

The resulting Program Report [pdf] correlated the requirements of new spaces with specific square footage to be incorporated in a new facility.