Boston, MA
Symphony Park Sculpture
Scope/Solutions
As part of Symphony Park’s redesign, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department collaborated with the Boston Art Commission and the Friends of Symphony Park to select Jacob Kulin to design a sculpture for the park. Celebrating the nearby Berklee College of Music and Symphony Hall, Kulin’s design embraces the shapes of string instruments in his modern Scandinavian style. SGH consulted on the structural design for the 16 ft tall sculpture, First Chair.
SGH analyzed and evaluated the proposed structure for the sculpture, comprising Cor-ten steel, stainless steel, bronze, and granite. Highlights of our work include the following:
- Recommended modifications to the proposed design to increase stability and durability
- Designed the precast concrete foundation and the sculpture’s anchorage
- Detailed stone seat and curb
- Prepared permit drawings and foundation package drawings
- Performed parametric modeling of sculpture hardware and developed renderings and animations to demonstrate the design to approvers
- Provided the fabrication team with direct-to-digital fabrication files for the steel components
- Developed assembly and shop erection drawings
- Reviewed foundation and stonework shop drawings to compare with the design intent
Project Summary
Solutions
New Construction
Services
Structures
Markets
Culture & Entertainment
Client(s)
Kulin Modern
Key team members
![John Thomsen](https://www.sgh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/E_210913_John_medium-1024x971.jpg)
![Brian Twomey](https://www.sgh.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/E_230316_N5_lrg-1024x970.jpg)
Additional Projects
Northeast
The Cooper Gallery
SGH was the structural engineer, developed and physically-tested a custom timber moment-resisting connection, and consulted on the building enclosure.
Northeast
Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion
In collaboration with Utile, SGH designed the pavilion; specified materials; and advised on all detailing, fabrication, and construction methods for the unusually-shaped roofs and the load-sensitive site.