The South Boston Waterfront Park is part of an initiative by the Massachusetts Port Authority to redevelop the waterfront along Northern Avenue in South Boston. The wedge-shaped site creates a break in the otherwise continuous building edge facing Boston Harbor. Machado Silvetti reimagined the park as a single design with three distinct zones, unified through a consistent material palette and design methodology.  

The largest zone provides a raised lawn with a continuous staircase that lines Northern Avenue. Two large pergolas at the lawn’s inner edge mark the transition to the central zone, creating a backdrop for events seen from the adjacent street. The middle zone contains a café and outdoor seating, while the intimately scaled southern end provides a quiet respite under shade trees. The team selected an artist to incorporate a public art installation into the park.