Cool Down Boston

Project Partner
Boston Center for Youth and Families

Project Mission
Provide relief from summer heat for children and young adults across Boston's hottest neighborhoods. 

During the summer of 2024, in partnership with Youth Build Boston and the City of Boston’s Mayor’s Office of New Urban Mechanics, Architecture for Public Benefit designed and implemented a series of cooling projects at four designated emergency cooling centers across the city. Through the use of prefabricated components and a site-specific design strategy, these projects were able to remain cost-effective and tailored to the specific needs of each community space.

A Tactical Guide to Urban Cooling Infrastructure
This toolkit, with a decision roadmap, was developed to inform designs based on site conditions such as access to water, existing shade canopy, as well as operational conditions such as maintenance logistics. Designed for future community leaders, mission-driven nonprofits, and city agencies, the toolkit supports practical cooling interventions that activate and enhance urban spaces.

“It was fun that we got to play with our friends, it is a very cool space. We are coming back to play there tomorrow.” 

                                                                                Kaelyn and Bianca
Youth from BCYF Menino Branch

Architecture for Public Benefit Team
Chana Haouzi, Matthew Okazaki, Lev Ko, Joshua Ssebuwufu

Collaborators
Design and Build: Architecture for Public Benefit
Community Engagement: Architecture for Public Benefit 
Fabrication and Assembly: YouthBuild Boston
Community Partners: Boston Center for Youth and Families, Boston Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics