Boston – Finegold Alexander Architects announced the Lower Basin Barracks and The First Church of Christ, Scientist projects have received 2024 Preservation Massachusetts Paul & Niki Tsongas Awards.
The Lower Basin Barracks, a 15,000sf renovation and addition project, revitalized an undersized 1908 facility in significant disrepair to support the State Police with current and future mission requirements. Preserving the historic fabric of the building, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places, Finegold Alexander modernized the existing structure and created additional space for the consolidation of the State Police troops and closure of the Upper Basin Barracks.
Lower Basin Barracks
Finegold Alexander restored the exterior masonry and preserved the original elements despite the complex programmatic needs of a police station. The Charles River Basin transom grilles, roof profile, and detailed wood window frames were all preserved. The tower, a Charles River landmark, was retained and restored.
The First Church of Christ, Scientist – The Mother Church sits at the center of the Christian Science Center Plaza, the largest privately owned, publicly accessible open space in the city of Boston. The building is comprised of two structures constructed at different times: the Romanesque Revival The Mother Church Original (TMCO), designed by Franklin Welch and completed in 1894; and the larger Neoclassical domed edifice, The Mother Church Extension (TMCX), designed by Charles Brigham & Charles Covery of Boston and Solon Beman of Chicago, completed in 1906.
The 192,000sf limestone, granite, and terra cotta structure required both exterior and interior restoration, including the dome that sits 200 feet above grade and the build of the original Guastavino semi-domes. The semi-dome required a custom stainless steel cable system supporting a terra cotta rain screen. The multi-phased project spanned over eight years and added over 100 years to the building’s life.
Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH) was the building envelope and structural engineer for the restoration of the building exterior, while Finegold Alexander Architects served as the architect for the interior restoration work. Shawmut Design and Construction served as the construction manager.
