Arcadis IBI Group Completes Restoration of Christian Science Plaza in Boston

Arcadis IBI Group has completed a multi-year restoration and repair project for the Christian Science Plaza in Boston, MA. The reflecting rool, a defining feature of the plaza, has reopened following infrastructure improvements and design enhancements that make the plaza overall more accessible and welcoming.

The Christian Science Plaza is the largest privately-owned publicly accessible open space in Boston. The 13.5-acre space is associated with a mid-century update to The Mother Church and world headquarters of The First Church of Christ, Scientist. The restoration project focused repairing and restoring landscape features, enhancing the public open space and improving environmental sustainability.

Sustainability was a key driver to the design approach of the project, particularly as the reflecting pool’s state of disrepair contributed to an unsustainable loss of potable water each year caused by leakage into the garage below. Improvements throughout the plaza include stormwater management measures to capture 14 million gallons of rainwater and decrease municipal water consumption.