Client: City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics

Year: 2021

Project Categories: Design, Pop-Up + Seasonal Spaces

Project Team

• Civic Space Collaborative (Design + Build)

• City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics

• Boston Public Libraries: Grove Hall and Mattapan

• Larry Pierce (Artist)

Civic Space Collaborative worked with the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics and Boston Public Library (BPL) to design and install two new Outdoor Wi-Fi Zones. These spaces support the City’s efforts to ensure reliable internet access even when BPL is closed, provide outdoor programming options, and align with climate resilience efforts by providing shade to mitigate urban heat. CSC designed pop-up spaces at BPL’s Grove Hall and Mattapan branches to provide community space, public seating and shade. Throughout the design process, CSC met with City and library staff to review the designs.

Grove Hall Branch Library

In Grove Hall, the patio receives direct sun, making the shade structure one of the key features at this site. Beneath the pergola there are two picnic benches with tabletop murals created by a Grove Hall artist, Larry Pierce. Other features installed include planters and a graphic surface treatment with duct tape to create visual boundaries of the pop-up space.

Mattapan Branch Library

In Mattapan, the patio provides a boundary for the space, that includes a large table and movable chairs, two bistro sets, planters, and Adirondack chairs that span the lawn beneath the trees. The trees and the positioning of the library provide shade for the furniture at Mattapan.

The pop-up Wi-Fi zones were well utilized in the summer by library patrons, librarians programming the spaces, and the City’s Summer Eats program. The seasonal installation is being extended through the winter.