Boston's ICA

If you want to see architectural divinity, you must visit the newly opened and much anticipated Institute of Contemporary Arts on Boston's waterfront. Designed by Diller+Scofidio+Renfro, it is amazing and beautiful and full of thoughtful details. I finally made the trip this Saturday, a perfect day of sunshine, and spent the afternoon wandering about the building. My first impression was somewhat strange: the whole building is surrounded by tons of parking! I actually laughed as I approached, and for a split second thoguht I was back in Houston...




I paid little attention to the exhibits within, but couldn't get enough of the space itself. Room after room held something remarkable to take in, and I made sure to allow myself the time to do so. I also caught a "Making of the ICA" film in the theatre, which was a nice way to experience that space.

This was an excitingly small but beautiful moment of the building...

One of my favorite aspects of the design is the use of various materials, namely the wooden planks, cladding and flooring that form a continuous plane that wraps itself around each turn of the building. From the exterior shot, you can see how the wood forms the profile of the building.

After an extensive tour inside, I plopped down outside on the exterior plaza/deck and took a nap in the sun. Then, from there I walked back to Central Square, a good two hour walk which allowed me to view other unexplored parts of the city's interior...