Baker House, Building W 7, Memorial Drive
Alvar Aalto with Perry Dean Shaw and Hepburn, 1947-1949
I was inspired to highlight 31 buildings in Boston in 31 days after the architecture blog A Daily Dose of Architecture . Not only was I going to highlight 31 buildings, but 31 of Bostonian’s favorite buildings. This is the series.
About Baker House:
The first time I ever stepped foot inside Baker House at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, I was blown away. I couldn’t contain my enthusiasm for the building, especially since I knew that everything in it is ergonomically designed, from the furniture to the handrails. Everything about Baker House is perfect, from its undulating façade which mimics the flow of the Charles River to the interior lighting. I’ve heard from many people that this is one of the most coveted dormitories at MIT and those who live there choose to live there year after year until they graduate. Now THAT says alot about a building.
Have you ever been inside a building which makes you feel “human” or that speaks to everyone of your senses? If so, which building (it doesn’t matter if it is not in Boston)?
Baker House
Baker House Model, photo: libraries.mit.edu/archives
MIT seniors in Baker House dormitory room, ca. 1949. Photo: libraries.mit.edu/archives
toddlarson
/ October 14, 2010I don’t blame the MIT students for wanting to live at Baker House — I bet the waiting list to get in is ten times as long as the facade!. It’s a masterpiece of ergonomic architecture, in both its design and its furniture, which makes it a prime example of TOTAL architecture.