wbur cityspace
boston, ma
architect / cambridgeseven
Boston University’s public broadcast station had occupied a small building in a prominent location for years. When the opportunity to expand its space aligned with the strategy to expand its programming, a vision for a truly public radio as a community forum took shape.
The new vision called for a soundproof theater space for live broadcasts and performances in addition to connecting the existing broadcast studios and offices. The expansion area included valuable street frontage with a large windowed façade and sidewalk space. A design concept emerged: amplifying the station’s programming to the surrounding community took the form of a megaphone. This cone-shape drove the orientation of the stage to the streetscape. Sound waves are graphically interpreted as rippling waves along curvilinear walls and in ceiling and floor details.
CitySpace is a high-tech performance venue featuring an open, flexible seating plan with cutting-edge audio and robotic HD video technology. Performances and livestreams can now be enjoyed in studio or via the newly re-engaged streetscape sound garden with seating and speakers outside the theater’s windows.