On November 16, 2023, Mayor Michelle Wu, in collaboration with Mayor's Housing Innovation Lab (iLab) and the Boston Society for Architecture (BSA), unveiled the "Co-Creating Boston's Future-Decker" Request for Proposals (RFP). This RFP is an invitation for development teams to propose innovative multi-family housing solutions for two city-owned plots in Dorchester and Mattapan. The initiative marks an attempt to fill the housing "missing middle" in Boston, as stated in their press release.
"It will take every bit of creativity and collaboration to tackle Boston’s urgent housing crisis and ensure we are building a city for everyone," said Mayor Wu. Echoing these sentiments, Sheila Dillon, Chief of Housing, noted the project's blend of imagination and practicability, fostered through the partnership between iLab and BSA.
The roots of this initiative lie in a 2021 Request for Ideas (RFI), which solicited housing designs reminiscent of Boston's symbolic triple-deckers. Once considered a beacon of affordability and replicability, these small-site structures stand relevant in addressing the city’s present housing necessities. Five pivotal themes emerged from the RFI responses: adaptability, communal living, sustainability, construction methods/materials, and affordability, all of which will be translated in the RFP.
The Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) Request for Proposals webpage is now open for development teams to submit their proposals derived from the successful RFI. The deadline for proposals set is February 14, 2024, to will follow a public exhibition of the ideas at a BSA reception, and the winning development team would be selected in early 2024.
The MOH and BSA, intent for providing equitable and informed proposals, will host several events during the RFP period. Potential applicants can benefit from a Pre-Applicant Information & Networking Conference, a Networking Session/Site Visits event, and two virtual Office Hours/Q&A sessions. These avenues should provide clear insights into the submission process, the RFP’s key attributes, financing options, and more.
BSA President, Andrea Love FAIA, echoed the significance of partnership in this process. She stated, "Working collaboratively with the City of Boston and Mayor Wu, we aim to reimagine the design and development of small city parcels. We envision these efforts culminating into housing that caters to middle-income inhabitants and adapts to the city's fluctuating needs."
The BSA, one of American Institute of Architects (AIA)'s oldest and largest chapters, faithfully upholds its mission to improve quality of life. It focuses on championing innovation in the built environment, framing sustainability, and social equity as key priorities. Engaging its 4,500-strong network, the BSA embarks on cooperative initiatives that forge a more equitable and sustainable future for Boston.
Established in 2015, the iLab strides forward in exploring novel approaches to housing policy and design, primarily aiming to promote affordable housing development. Its portfolio, rich with prototype-driven projects, underlines the lab's commitment to devising innovative techniques that enhance housing opportunities and affordability throughout Boston.
