Dec 12, 2025
WE START WITH THE THINGS WE FIND
carving shared space along a campus sidewalk for people and trees
2020
Boston
Northeastern University
5,800 SF
Reza Zia, Virginie Stolz, project lead / Silman-TYLin, structure
concept & vision
a narrow strip along an important campus axis offers space for students' work, engaging the sidewalk and its seven honey locust trees
design & architecture
we place 28 containers along the sidewalk tree line, and use the honey locust presence to create the rhythm of the building inside and outside. The second level provides double height for the students' open areas and a shared treehouse at one end
impact & significance
we work with the tight conditions of the site and what could have been its obstacles, the seven honey locust trees, exploring and celebrating both the site narrowness and the wonderful encounter with the trees as an opportunity to engage the campus' street and its pedestrian traffic
Dec 12, 2025
WE START WITH THE THINGS WE FIND