Lauren Stone
Title
Lauren Stone
Description
Copley Place and the Prudential Center were most similar in their spatial layouts, and Newbury Street tries to copy that, however only Copley Place features a space for reflection and integrates nature.
Both Copley and the Prudential Center feature a relatively bright, well-lit, open layout. The side bays, which feature mostly shops, converge on what seems to be a central area, as I depict in my sketches. However, at Copley, this area represents a respite from the commercial activity taking place in the side walkways. Plants line it, and there is a fountain that restfully roars. The raised edges of this area separate it from the surrounding shopping wings and signify that a different type of activity occurs here. The geometric, bright red floor patterns, coupled with the sounds of the water foster pensiveness here, and there are benches upon which to think and socialize. In contrast, in the Boylston Arcade, there are no benches nor significant greenery and instead, the area features only shopping booths. There is less of a sense of “zen” due to the absence of natural elements. This space is bare and almost washed out due to a larger dome — and has simple, white floor patterns. There is no elevation, and this central space features shopping signs. It therefore does not distinguish itself from shopping activity. Overall, the two locations are tied together in a sort of trapezoid shape — through elevation from the street and the central walkway connecting them, indicating that they are similar in the types of activities that take place — but they offer some different opportunities for activity.
Newbury Street certainly mimics some of the shared qualities, namely convergence of different side roads into a central, more bustling area. However, it is more similar to the Prudential in its focus on commercial activities. Its buildings feature repetitive structures and there are very few places to sit (unless you are dining). There is some vegetation, but the more prominent, numerous shops seem to overpower it.
Both Copley and the Prudential Center feature a relatively bright, well-lit, open layout. The side bays, which feature mostly shops, converge on what seems to be a central area, as I depict in my sketches. However, at Copley, this area represents a respite from the commercial activity taking place in the side walkways. Plants line it, and there is a fountain that restfully roars. The raised edges of this area separate it from the surrounding shopping wings and signify that a different type of activity occurs here. The geometric, bright red floor patterns, coupled with the sounds of the water foster pensiveness here, and there are benches upon which to think and socialize. In contrast, in the Boylston Arcade, there are no benches nor significant greenery and instead, the area features only shopping booths. There is less of a sense of “zen” due to the absence of natural elements. This space is bare and almost washed out due to a larger dome — and has simple, white floor patterns. There is no elevation, and this central space features shopping signs. It therefore does not distinguish itself from shopping activity. Overall, the two locations are tied together in a sort of trapezoid shape — through elevation from the street and the central walkway connecting them, indicating that they are similar in the types of activities that take place — but they offer some different opportunities for activity.
Newbury Street certainly mimics some of the shared qualities, namely convergence of different side roads into a central, more bustling area. However, it is more similar to the Prudential in its focus on commercial activities. Its buildings feature repetitive structures and there are very few places to sit (unless you are dining). There is some vegetation, but the more prominent, numerous shops seem to overpower it.
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Citation
“Lauren Stone,” US-WORLD 29, accessed April 18, 2026, https://usworld29.omeka.fas.harvard.edu/items/show/150.