Additional fee, registration required.
Art Deco is one of the most recognizable American architectural styles, and Boston, though often overshadowed by other U.S. cities, boasts impressive examples. The tour provides not only narrative on individual buildings and their architects but also offers context and background on the design elements and influences of American Art Deco. This tour delves into Boston's Financial District, the heart of the city's Art Deco concentration. After the 1872 fire and its subsequent redevelopment, this area became a canvas for Art Deco design. The tour covers the architects, buildings, and design elements that defined this iconic style, shedding light on a downtown many pass by but rarely notice.
Learning Objectives
- Explore the postwar factors that led to Brutalist architecture in Boston and how it shaped the city's civic, cultural, and institutional identity.
- Identify key design elements, material choices, and structural innovations that define Brutalist buildings.
- Discuss the evolving public opinion of Brutalist architecture, from widespread criticism to its current resurgence and preservation efforts.
- Investigate how Brutalist projects contributed to Boston’s mid-century urban renewal efforts and continue to influence today.