A Conscious Insertion

In 1898 the Proctor family built a grand estate complete with a gate house, carriage house and a mansion. Over the years it has been used as a private residence, a retirement home for Catholic priests and currently is home to New England Biolabs. New England Biolabs is a leader in enzyme research and production, sending products all around the world. Their new headquarters were completed two years ago on the sprawling 240 acre site. Each of the existing buildings were reused creating space for administration, apartments for visiting scientists and an exercise and recreation facility. The challenge came in how and where to add the new research and education facility. The only requirement asked of the architect as that it preserved the mansion and the old beech trees. The design did that and more.

Site Plan

Geometry

When Mrs. Proctor first entered her new home, she said it was mostly hall. That comment stuck. The mansion has been called “Mostly Hall” ever since. With this in mind, the design team at Weston Williamson came up with a scheme that worked with the conditions and used this concept as their design.

Material

Copper panels and green-tinted glass make up the envelope of the new building helping it to blend in with the rolling landscape while the mansion still stands proud in its brick and copper trim.

Scale

The new building is much larger (180,000 S.F.) but with a hidden parking structure and the rolling hill, the mansion looks just at large when standing between the two.

Views

The views out of each of the building offer a peaceful setting overlooking the fields, gardens or ponds. One bench is located on the site providing a view of the mansion.

Entrance

The old stone entry provides a stately entrance while the new entry offers a collection of modern art while mimicking the old stone.

Entry

Both buildings offer a grand entrance filled with light and upon entering, a long hall.

Overall, I feel this is a successful integration into the site and the context. This building is proud to be shown in its context. The play between the two buildings works well for both the site and the type of buildings on the site. It is not the type of building that you would usually find on a great estate. The materials chosen help the large building to feel even lighter than it really is while allowing the old mansion to remain heavy and solid. The mansion has remained the centerpiece of this grand estate, proudly surrounded by the old beech trees.



I tried to keep this brief. I could go on about this project and maybe will have a chance in Boston. If anyone wants for information, you can go to www.neb.com or www.westonwilliamson.com. I tried to obtain plans or sections of the building but my only contact is on vacation until the 20th.

Riverwalk Images

Traveling through the Site

Seating Views

The Riverwalk

The Ipswich Riverwalk was created two years ago as a pedestrian link for the downtown district to the SoCho district of town. Downtown is lined with shops and restaurants. There is a constant flow of vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The SoCho district is south of the Choate bridge. This area is filled with museums, the visitors center and soon to have an entertainment venue. At this time there is not much pedestrian traffic. The main road traveling through this part of town is also the main way out of town. While these two sides of the river are very different, the riverwalk provides an excellent link between the two. I have never found a need to use the riverwalk as a pedestrian path in my travel. I will specifically choose to walk that way because of the scenery. In my study this week, that seems to be a common thought.

The Riverwalk is a small public place set along the Ipswich river. It's many views include the Choate bridge, Ipswich Falls and the general beauty of the river. The space is filled with large planters overflowing with colorful flowers. There are five benches and three picnic tables located in this space offering views up and down the river. Two small structures offer shade over two of the benches. Although it is a small space, it is also a small town.

Many different people use the space through out the week. During the weekdays, the employees of EBSCO are often seen enjoying their lunches at the picnic tables. There always seems to be people sitting on the benches around lunch time. The weekends attract a more casual crowd. I have observed people reading a book, napping and just catching up with friends while seated in the space. I even observed a small boy fishing off the bridge. A rare occurence is anyone that doesn't take a moment to pause as they walk across the river. Almost all users find themselves sitting down for awhile or staring into the water. At night, many people can be seen looking up at the stars, walking through the space. Overall, the people using the space are diverse in age and activity. Rarely have I observed this space not in use.

As the name implies, the Riverwalk's beauty is in the river. It serves as a chance to sit and study the movement of the river. The Ipswich Falls are located at the site. High and low tide also provide a change in the river that one can notice over the afternoon. I enjoy watching the large turtle population sunning themselves on the rock. A few fish always seem to be jumping. The river creates a peaceful setting for someone to relax and enjoy nature while only being yards away from shops and restaurants. The large buildings of EBSCO serve to help block out the street noise. It is a peaceful oasis in the center of town. I enjoy the Riverwalk. I find it be a beautfiul place to read a book, sketch or watch the clouds go by. The success comes not in the purpose of the riverwalk but instead in the opportunity to enjoy a bit of nature.

The Aesthetic Emotion

The aesthetic emotion that one feels is difficult to explain. In the reading "The White Bird" this emotion is defined as the emotion we feel before nature. I find this especially true. I am always drawn to nature and objects that represent it. A building that blends into it's site, looking as though it evolved from the site, is especially beautiful to me. Natural beauty is something that I strive to find as I look at my surroundings. This beauty is what gives meaning and order.
This reading goes on to say that the language of art has been developed in an attempt to transform the instantaneous into the permanent. With so many brief moments in nature, it is wonderful to see the beauty of a flower represented in the cold of winter or the color of the desert when you are seated at the sea. Art is able to evoke emotions from all of us. I believe that nature can evoke deeper emotions. Nature is something that is universal, it is the language of art.