The Isabella Steward Gardener Museum has just undergone an extensive renovation and  has a new addition. Architect, Renzo Piano, created a glass box within which sits a living room/reception space/library area, artists’ studio, a gift shop, offices, a performance space, a contemporary art gallery space, and a greenhouse; it is connected to the historic house/museum via a glass-enclosed corridor. I visited one recent very cold January day. The bright and open design of the addition stands in stark contrast to the dark and enclosed spaces of the original Gardener. The new gallery spaces are sparse in comparison to the
original museum which continues to be filled with layer upon layer of art and artifact. Yet, my favorite space continues to be the courtyard. The new building entrance loses out on the drama of the old entry which opened onto the incredible courtyard. And what a space! Palms, orchids, moss and other plants are set aside gravel paths, fountains, statuary and urns- literally an oasis in the center of Boston. Sadly, visitors can no longer walk those luscious paths but can only take in the view from its edges. 
 
http://www.gardnermuseum.org/explore

I attended a seminar called “Low Impact Development” in December 2011. What is Low Impact Development you ask? A definition provided by the Low Impact Development Center of Beltsville, Maryland states;Low Impact Development is a comprehensive land planning and engineering design approach with a goal of maintaining and enhancing the pre-development hydrologic regime of urban and developing watersheds

But what does this mean to the average citizen? In short- instead of collecting all rainfall (storm water) into underground pipes and then cleaning it in treatment facilitates, we collect as much rainfall as possible and store it on-site. We utilize soil and plants as filters which clean the water and then we re-use the cleaned water nearby. Low Impact Development can be less expensive than traditional piping techniques and it helps recharge local aquifers. For more detailed information about what’s involved, thumb through the Center’s website. There you’ll find references like publications and construction details as well as information about new projects implementing these strategies throughout the United States. 

http://www.lowimpactdevelopment.org/index.html

In November 2011 I attended the Build Boston Conference. I participated in a number of continuing education workshops but the most informative was one entitled Designing Outdoor Play and Learning Environments. The session highlighted a program called the Boston Schoolyards Initiative. The City of Boston works in partnership with the Boston Schoolyards Funders
Collaborative to turn asphalt-dominated schoolyards into rich environments that serve the entire school community including the students, teachers and staff as well as the surrounding neighborhood. And what a program! The program has been in existence for over fifteen years and has touched dozens of schoolyards. The website (see link below) is a wealth of information, a tremendous resource for those interested in outdoor learning environments. Take a moment to check it out. 

http://www.buildboston.com/ResPlus/BuildBoston/?SHID=38743217.49534607