Projects

Connecting Gilman Square: A New Housing and Green Space Development

An architectural rendering of a vibrant outdoor community area with multiple people engaging in various activities. Features include staircases, seating areas, and blossoming trees, providing a serene, urban retreat atmosphere.

by Chandler Caserta (MArch ’25), Austin Sun (MLA/MArch 24), Kei Takanami (MArch ‘25), Amber Zeng (MArch ’25) — Recipients of the Plimpton-Poorvu Design Prize, Second Prize.

This project proposes a 196,020 sq ft transit-oriented mixed-use building and public park in Somerville, Massachusetts. Given the current limited amount of open green space in Somerville, Connecting Gilman Square envisions a revitalized identity for Gilman Square through a new public landscape and building. It aims to create a community identity around a new transit station by introducing market rate and affordable housing, a public outdoor park, a grocery store, cafes, restaurants, artist workshops, and non-profit offices on two underutilized lots adjacent to the new Gilman Square Station.

We will introduce 150 new units of housing with 20% at affordable rates (50%, 80%, and 110% AMI). This project aligns with Somerville’s Somervision 2040 plan to increase housing and stimulate the commercial sector in Somerville. By configuring the housing block to a L-shaped stack on the southwest corner of the site, the building is able to shield the public park from railway disturbances. This project targets young professionals in the Somerville area through a mix of studio and two-bedroom units. The building opens its corner to the Somerville Community Path to give generous access to outdoor activities for both residents and park-users alike. Through the transit-oriented development, the revitalized site becomes a gateway connecting this public green space to the greater Boston area.

The strategy to pair a housing project with a public park considers both the financial viability and social benefits for Somerville and the Greater Boston area. Using a capital stack of equity and grants to support the new green space and infrastructure, Connecting Gilman Square will transform this previously underutilized industrial site into new transit-oriented housing and a publicly accessible landscape.

Architectural blueprints and renderings of two apartment designs. Top image shows floor plan and exterior view of a person standing on a balcony. Bottom image includes a floor plan and interior view with two people, one cooking and the other sitting at a dining table.
Map of Gilman Square showing Walkshed Analysis and nearby grocery stores with percentages of rental housing, and population caption, highlighting the need for a grocery store near the T-station exit for the residents of Somerville.
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Architectural rendering of a bustling park in front of a modern, multi-story building with people and dogs enjoying the green space amidst lush trees and flowering plants.
Architectural rendering of a modern multi-story building complex next to a train station, featuring landscaped areas and nearby traditional buildings under a clear sky.
Architectural rendering of a multi-level, modern apartment complex with transparent balconies. People are visible engaging in various activities on the balconies and rooftop, amidst a backdrop of urban buildings.
An architectural rendering of a vibrant outdoor community area with multiple people engaging in various activities. Features include staircases, seating areas, and blossoming trees, providing a serene, urban retreat atmosphere.
Image of an 'Executive Financial Summary' spreadsheet detailing Project Area, Unit Mix and Income, and Project Exit, including tables with financial figures and calculations such as COC %, Project Yield, and Total Development Costs.
Map showing green space per capita in Somerville, Cambridge, and Greater Boston area. Green areas represent green spaces, and colored circles indicate square footage of green space per capita: 178 sq ft for Cambridge, 147 sq ft for Somerville, and 87 sq ft for Massachusetts.
Architectural cross-section drawings of a modern home, demonstrating sunlight exposure during the day and the winter solstice. One illustration shows a daytime scenario with an individual on a bed, and the other displays an individual active in a living space. The drawings include lines representing the direction and angle of sunlight.
Conceptual illustration of Somerville's ArtFarm outdoor event featuring diverse community members engaging in various activities, with sponsor logos including Artisan's Asylum and Somerville Media Center visible at the bottom.