A Night to Remember at the Boston Public Library

by Margaret Pursell
Director, Member Communications

Summary: More than 1,600 AIA convention attendees gathered Friday evening, May 16, at the Boston Society of Architects’ host city party, held at the Boston Public Library, a National Historic Landmark, to enjoy some of Boston’s finest food, music, and camaraderie.

The Boston Public Library combined history, masterpiece architecture, murals, and sculptures, along with books and literature, creating special ambiance and an elegant setting for the Boston Society of Architects’ Host Chapter party.

Convention-goers and guests mingled and talked about the future of the profession while reveling in the beauty of their surroundings. “We hope folks will remember this chapter party as one of the best ever,” said Nancy Jenner, deputy director, Boston Society of Architects (BSA).

The third largest library in the U.S., the Boston Public Library ( BPL)—designed by Charles Follen McKim in 1895, with a 1972 addition by Philip Johnson—has been described as “a palace for the people.” Among the people gathered at BPL were first-time convention attendees, seasoned ones, scholarship winners, and many first-time visitors to the library.

“This place is one of Boston’s best kept secrets,” said Ben Cohen, controller, BSA.

Mark Sereda, AIA, with FCI Associates, a bank building firm in Natick, Mass., said: “This is a fantastic party, and even though I am from the area, this is the first time I have been in the library. I am just enjoying walking around and taking in the scene.”

The library has undergone several phases of renovation to preserve the historic interior, art, and architecturally significant spaces. The last phase was completed five years ago.

“This restoration combined the efforts of designer, fabricator, and client to produce a successful project, with the building as the ultimate client,” said guest, Edwin Rambusch, Rambusch Lighting, in Jersey City, N.J., whose firm did the lighting for the restoration.

Guests could explore BPL’s three levels, each offered stations to eat, drink, and enjoy different types of music—something for everyone.

Two heralders welcomed guests on the red carpet at the Dartmouth Street entrance. As people entered the lobby, they were greeted by a lyric ensemble on the main staircase. Strolling along, party attendees could find a cabaret singer playing a grand piano in the Novel Café.  Downstairs, a guitar-and-flute duo played on the first-floor exhibit hall.

In Bates Hall, the main reading room, guests dined on assorted hors d’oeurves at library research tables while The Gilded Harps played in the background. A jazz quintet kept things lively in the Abbey Room. A few brave souls ignored the drizzle and danced to a Latin beat in the Italianate courtyard amidst its famous sculptures and beautiful fountain.

BSA scholarship recipients gathered in the Design Forward Lounge, a special feature for the Host Chapter party supported by Visionary Sponsor Cubellis, and specially designed for the BSA scholarship winners. BSA funded the travel for the 160 scholarship winners and the AIA provided free registration to the convention as an investment in the future of the profession.

Students felt attending the convention was a great opportunity. “I am getting a head start on my career,” said Javier Meier, a freshman at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona.

Scholarship recipient, Tina Hovsepian, a student at University of Southern California, was honored and thrilled to represent the architect of tomorrow.  “I plan to become licensed as an architect and start my own firm doing mixed-use, single-family, and multifamily housing. My goal is to help people and society,” said Hovsepian.