‘Beautiful building’ recognized
Harvard University’s newest residential building at 10 Akron St. in Cambridge has won the Harleston Parker Medal for 2011 as “the single most beautiful building or other structure” recently built in metropolitan Boston. The annual honor, bestowed on notable buildings built in the past decade, is co-sponsored by the Boston Society of Architects and the city of Boston. The Harvard building was selected from nearly 100 projects and cited by jurors for its contextual, compelling design, its unexpected public spaces, and its strong sense of balance. According to the jurors, “The building continues to surprise and delight even after repeated viewing.” “We partnered with architect Kyu Sung Woo to create a simple but elegant building suited to its prominent location along the Charles River,” said Lisa Hogarty, vice president of Harvard Campus Services. “Contemporary and highly sustainable, this building also respects the architectural traditions of Harvard and the neighborhood surrounding it. We...