In Boston, at 133 Federal Street, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Building is an iconic part of Boston's architectural history. The potential for designating it as a landmark is currently being evaluated by the Boston Landmarks Commission. This building and its role in the city's urban renewal movement from the mid-1900s are worth closer examination.
As noted in the Boston Landmarks Commission's report, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Building reflects the Brutalist architectural style. It represents a transition from the International Style toward postmodernism in American architecture. Paul Rudolph, its architect, used this building to pioneer his distinct design philosophies.
Notable features of the building include its Y-shaped precast-concrete piers and columns. Its large white quartz aggregate and hidden HVAC system within the nonstructural columns, challenge the dominant glass curtain wall trend of the era. The Blue Cross Blue Shield Building embodies the impact that Brutalist architecture had on Boston and America during the 1960s and 1970s.
Despite the threats of demolition it has faced in the recent past along with fading recognition of Rudolph's influence on urban architecture, efforts are being made to recognize its architectural importance. In 2009, the Boston Landmarks Commission conducted an update of the cultural and architectural resources survey in Boston's Central Business District. During this update, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Building was identified as eligible for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, prompting the petition for landmark status.
The study report also includes Standards and Criteria, crafted to guide potential physical modifications to the building in an effort to maintain its distinctive character and integrity. The Boston Landmarks Commission is actively seeking public opinion on the suggested landmark designation, underlining the importance of safeguarding Boston's diverse architectural heritage.
