‘The most beautiful’: Vote for Boston’s ‘best new building’

BOSTON — If you have an eye for beauty, here’s your chance to vote for Boston’s “best new building.”

The Boston Society for Architecture has opened voting for the annual 2024 Harleston Parker Medal, which recognizes “the most beautiful piece of architecture, building, monument, or structure built in the metropolitan Boston area in the past 10 years.”

Established in 1921 in memory of Boston architect J. Harleston Parker, the annual honor is decided by a jury of professionals – artists, designers, architects, public servants and planners.

The public may choose from the following three finalists for the 2024 Harleston Parker Medal:

Roxbury Branch of the Boston Public Library Renovation

Firm/Designer: Utile, Inc.

Year Completed: 2020

Client: City of Boston Public Facilities Department and the Boston Public Library

Address: 149 Dudley St, Roxbury, MA 02119

Harvard University District Energy Facility

Firm/Designer: Leers Weinzapfel Associates Architects

Year Completed: 2021

Client: Harvard University

Address: Allston, MA

Adams Branch Library

Firm/Designer: NADAAA

Year Completed: 2021

Client: Boston Public Facilities Department

Address: 690 Adams St, Dorchester, MA 02122

In addition to the juried award, each year the Boston Society for Architecture seeks the general public’s input by voting on the same selected finalists to anoint a People’s Choice Award winner.

The public’s appreciation of beauty in architecture may vary from the jury decision and the People’s Choice Award “allows for broader recognition and awareness of design impacts within our local communities,” according to the society.

In 2023, the People’s Choice Award winner was the Center for Computing & Data Sciences at Boston University, designed by KPMB Architects. The juried Harleston Parker Medal winner was Berklee Tower, Berklee College of Music, designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.

The winner of the People’s Choice Award—as well as the winner of the Harleston Parker Medal—will be revealed at the Annual Boston Society for Architecture Awards Gala on the evening of March 5, and announced to the public on March 6. 

Vote here until Jan. 31 for your favorite piece of new architecture in Boston.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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