Pier 4 Plaza

The Pier 4 Plaza is a civic plaza located in the heart of Boston’s thriving Seaport Innovation District. The design serves to energize and activate the pedestrian realm in this newly developed area. The plaza is an important connector between civic and cultural institutions, such as the Institute of Contemporary Art and The Seaport World Trade Center. Granite and stainless steel seating elements and planters rise and recede back into the paving, referencing the ebb and flow of the Boston Harbor. The fluid and kinetic lines of the paving are inspired by the hidden urban infrastructure below and reference the historical railway tracks that once defined the site. The design celebrates the layered history of the site and its relationship to Boston’s waterfront. Framed by a green amphitheater space, the plaza is designed for flexible programming with performances during the day and colorful art events at night.