Peabody Terrace
Cambridge, MA
Josep Lluís Sert’s Peabody Terrace Design has been criticized for its large stature and harshness. Though the surrounding structures are substantially smaller in size, the 22 story towers somehow fit in the context quite well . Physically they are not overwhelming the space because of the amount of open area surrounding them on all sides. Furthermore, the trees surrounding the buildings and the rest of the site provide a smooth transition from the human scale to the building scale. These towers also provide a desired visual connection to water and greenery for the students living and working there. 
We must remind ourselves that the interior experience of a building is just as, if not more important than its exterior. By providing hundreds of individuals the chance to study while looking across the Charles is an opportunity not to be undermined. What is also interesting about Sert’s design is how well he managed to consider the break down of the scales from across the river. Looking at these three towers from Boston the framed view is easily read from the furthest object being the tallest to the slender bridge being closest and the trees, again, acting as transitional elements.