The grounds of the new Volpe Center and its surrounding public space in Cambridge is a testament to the harmonious integration of security, architecture, and community engagement. The landscape architecture project, not only incorporates essential security engineering measures but also enriches the area with a public plaza, a grove of new trees, and a site-specific artwork by Maya Lin.

The collaboration between the U.S. General Services Administration and MITIMCO has given rise to a new tower building that will serve as the Department of Transportation’s labs and offices. This project, which involves replacing an existing tower and adjacent facilities, is set to create new development parcels and a public realm amenity plaza and streetscape. Reed Hilderbrand’s role extends beyond landscape architecture to master planning for MITIMCO’s private development, ensuring that the entire precinct reflects the GSA Design Excellence criteria.

The new Volpe Center tower’s plaza and streetscape will feature a mature grove of trees, seamlessly integrated within Maya Lin’s site-specific work. The design study for this project was meticulous, aiming to create a public realm that is not only larger but also richer in experience than the pre-existing condition in Cambridge signaling a deep commitment from all the actors involved with the project to improving public spaces in urban environments.

Work completed while employed at Reed Hilderbrand; Adrian Fehrmann was the Project Manager from Schematic Design through Construction Observation.