Celebrating Boston’s public spaces

The Boston Public Library has been organizing some very exciting events for years, but none more exciting than Building Boston—a citywide celebration of Boston’s public spaces. According to the BPL Building Boston website, this celebration "explores the stories behind the creation of these iconic public venues, examining the conceivers, constructors, chroniclers, and ever-changing set of users who call these spaces their own."

There are many events to choose from. I’m looking forward to seeing "The People’s Own: Construction of the McKim Building" in the Rare Books Lobby which is presented in conjunction with "Palaces for the People: Guastavino and America’s Great Public Spaces" in the Changing Exhibits Gallery also in the McKim Building. If you have not seen Palaces for the People, do yourself a favor and go see this exhibit exploring the genius of the Guastavino family in America.

Our very own Pulitzer-Prize winning architecture critic Robert Campbell will give a lecture with architectural photographer Peter Vanderwarker on Tuesday November 13 at 6:00PM.

Not to be missed are lectures by the architect of the Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Maya Lin on Thursday January 24 and Janet Marie Smith, architect of the Fenway Park restoration on March 7, 2013.

Elizabeth Diller, a founding principal of Diller Scofidio + Renfro and of the ICA/Boston and High Line fame will also give a talk at the Boston Public Library on January 12.

Check out the Boston Public Library’s Building Boston page for more information on the walking tours, lectures, films and exhibitions celebrating Boston’s public spaces. I'll be at many of the events listed in the Building Boston brochure. Hope to see you around.