Aero Grove is a public cultural center designed for a green space adjacent to Harvard University in Boston. The site is a vital communal zone, frequented by students, professors, and residents for reading, discussion, and leisure.
Placing a cultural building here demands more than fulfilling program needs—it requires civic sensitivity. The design keeps the site’s openness, enhancing access through clear circulation. Aero Grove includes gallery areas and two immersive spaces. Above them, interactive platforms host dialogue and hands-on learning.
The design seeks to return space to the public, mirroring the flow of people on open lawns with soft, fluid curves that shape the plan and massing. Two offset circular forms define the space. The outer ring opens through varied apertures that connect the courtyard with the city. Three large openings form welcoming semi-outdoor zones. A generous courtyard with lawns and shade recalls the original field. Ramps lead to an undulating roof offering views and spatial richness. A transparent glass envelope wraps structural columns, amplifying their forms. Layered façades enclose the immersive rooms, capturing daylight patterns and marking time.
Bio Xinyun Li is an architect and a graduate of the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. She is currently practicing architectural design in New York. Architecture is a fascinating discipline - one that encourages intuitive exploration while embracing rational thought. It integrates technological advancements and reflects the evolution of its time. Architecture is a form of expression - an emotional expression. It quietly conveys the architect's sentiments toward the users and the site, while also expressing the building’s own relationship with its surroundings and the city.
