The Boston Society of Architects in partnership with the City of Boston has selected The Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Media Lab Complex as the 2012 winner of the Harleston Parker Medal Award. Established in 1921 by Boston architect J. Harleston Parker, the prestigious award is presented to "such architects as shall have, in the opinion of the Boston Society of Architects... completed the erection for any private citizen, association, corporation, or public authority, the most beautiful piece of architecture, building, monument or structure within the limits of the City of Boston or of the Metropolitan Parks District."
Designed by the Tokyo-based architectural firm of Pritzker Prize-winner Fumihiko Maki and Associates in collaboration with the Boston based firm of Leers Weinzapfel Associates, the Media Lab Complex has been called by Robert Campbell as the "world’s most exquisite building." The new Media Lab Complex is an incredibly detailed building beautifully marrying engineering, architecture and art with Japanese sensibilities.
Past recipients of the Harleston Parker Medal include the addition to the Cambridge Public Library by the Cambridge firms of William Rawn Associates with Ann Beha Architects, Simmons Hall at MIT by Steven Holl Architects and Perry Dean Rogers Partners, the Honan-Allston Branch/Boston Public Library by Boston firm of Machado and Silvetti Associate, and the Davis Art Museum and Cultural Center, Wellesley College by Rafael Moneo and Payette Associates.
For more images of the MIT Media Lab Complex, click here.
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- MIT Media Lab, Location: Cambridge MA, Architect: Maki and Associates, Leers Weinzapfel Associates
