Recently, we have been hearing that the main objection to many of the proposed developments under the MBTA Communities Act has been that of the potential increase in traffic, especially for the larger projects consisting of over 100 units. Another real concern for the larger projects has been that the buildings are too “boxy”. While we are not architects but rather commercial real estate professionals, we do see several examples south of Boston which experienced developers have implemented to counter the so-called “boxy” appearance of the structures in a large, planned development.
In order to render the buildings more attractive, and to break up the massing effect, developers and their architects have utilized techniques such as step-backs and recesses and varying the heights and highlighting the corners with varying materials of the buildings seem to make a significant difference in the overall look of the development. We have also witnessed techniques successfully implemented such as the varying of the colors and tones of the different sections of the buildings as well as mixing and creating unique combinations of material such as metal, faux-wood siding, cement yawls, and brick and block. Something as subtle as mixing the window sizes and shapes can make a significant aesthetic difference as well.
While we understand that there are many more techniques and methods available to developers and architects to minimize, if not eliminate, the concept of “sameness”, we have presented concepts which we have seen implemented successfully throughout the Boston Metro South area.
For further information on this topic, please call us at 781.848.9400.