Architecture Committee
Purpose
What We Do
We work closely with the Back Bay Architectural Commission (BBAC), as well as architects, developers, residents, business owners, and the Garden Club of the Back Bay on how to adapt our historic buildings to contemporary needs without sacrificing the original material and historic streetscapes that make the area special.
We deal with the exteriors of buildings, with gardens and trees, with street furniture, with parking spaces, with air conditioning—anything visible from the street or from a window.
In doing so, we:
- Meet monthly to review all proposed external building alterations that will be heard by the BBAC, as well as the cases within the Back Bay Architectural District being heard by the Zoning Board of Appeal (ZBA) and convey residents’ perspective to the BBAC.
- Invite representatives of the projects to present their plans to our committee.
- Make suggestions to the applicant on possible improvements to the project to support our goals, and inform the relevant City agencies of our position.
- Develop recommendations to address changing circumstances, such as new technologies (for example: tree care and electric vehicle charger installation)
- In the commercial district, we work with business owners and developers in the commercial district to adapt existing structures to the needs of retail and other commercial uses without destroying or overwhelming the original architecture.
- Inform NABB members who live near a proposed project of our meeting and invite them to hear and comment on the presentation.
Our committee is advisory. We convey the residents’ perspective to the BBAC – we do not make final decisions about any applications. Our goal is to preserve our neighborhood as a vibrant urban area, by providing recommendations to residents and business owners on how to adapt our historic buildings to contemporary needs without sacrificing the original material and historic streetscapes that make the area special.
Example of a Restoration in the Back Bay
When We Meet
Our committee currently meets virtually. New members are always welcome.
If you are interested in joining, please contact architecture@NABBonline.org
Committee Chair
Join Our Committee
Do you want to join our committee? NABB Members have access to join and attend committee meetings and activities.
Volunteer Needs
Become a voluteer for committee activities and events.