Ian Ramey
Principal, Copley Wolff
Age: 45
Industry experience: 22 years
Copley Wolff Design Group has an increasingly important seat at the table when project teams meet to map out new developments that put open space in the forefront. The Boston-based landscape architecture firm is working with firms such as The Davis Cos. on The Mark at DeNormandie Wharf, a 107-unit condominium project under construction on the East Boston waterfront, National Development on its 7Ink by Ollie co-living development in the South End and London-based Scape on a proposed private student housing tower in the Fenway. Ian Ramey joined the firm as principal in 2015 after 19 years at Morgan Wheelock, Carol R. Johnson Assoc. and Shadley Assoc.
Q: What’s the typical life cycle for outdoor spaces and how can you tell when a park is overdue for a refresh?
A: Generally, you look at the quality of the installations. Sometimes things are falling apart. If it’s successful, the more it gets beat up. Like any fashion or trend, aesthetics change. Sometimes it’s as simple as changing out the furniture with something that’s more contemporary. Other times, people aren’t using the space, and that would suggest a complete refresh.
Q: What’s the must-have outdoor amenity that developers want to include in 2019?
A: On the luxury [residential] side, there’s definitely an amenity war where they’re going to one-up each other. We’re looking at roof decks that have water features and interactive fountains, creating spaces to hang out and chill. On the other side, you’re starting to see more co-living [housing]. In those spaces, it’s placing an emphasis on the quality of the communal spaces and giving a lot of variation for people to have different social activities. Their private activity is reduced so rents are more affordable, so open space has a premium and has to be really great.
Q: With the increased emphasis on outdoor spaces, how has that changed how landscape architects work with the building architect on designs?
A: It’s important to note that in the older days, it was the function of the landscape architect to green up the leftover space that was already figured out by the architect and the development team. Now we’re seeing a more integral role for landscaping, where we are at the preplanning and design meetings and we’re working hand-in-hand with the architect and the developer.
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We worked closely with Elkus Manfredi at 7Ink by Ollie on the architecture and interior designs. On the first floor there’s an amenity space that has a game room, and we worked closely with them to take the uses that are inside and push that outside. On the terrace that’s adjacent to the first-level amenity room, we have outdoor TVs, feature walls and a nice backdrop, and we have removable and fixed furniture that’s designed so people can have flexible breakout spaces they can hang out in small or large groups.
On the roof deck on the 14th floor, there’s another clubhouse which is even bigger. We have a full outdoor kitchen with three grills, a sink and a custom water feature. Because of the position of the property, there’s amazing views of the city northward and we have viewfinders so people can take advantage of the view, and moveable planters.
Q: As the Massachusetts coast is hit by more frequent severe weather events, is that affecting the landscape designs of projects further away from the waterfront?
A: Absolutely. We’re going to see more nature-based solutions, what we like to call “green infrastructure.” We see that in response to the climate data and the severity of storms we encounter. The traditional model is curbing the landscape and pitching it to a drain. It’s going to be changed to be more of a landscape where more expansive areas of green can accommodate this water, slope it down, retain it and infiltrate it, so the quantity going into the pipe is reduced.
Q: How will the city of Boston’s new tactical public realm guidelines play out in future designs?
A: There’s an opportunity in some paved vehicle areas to quickly deploy some efforts that can really improve the public realm. A great example is the Tontine Crescent. Because of the organic nature of Boston’s building layout, there’s a lot of space that isn’t optimized for vehicles. There’s a clear area where you can take away this asphalt and turn that into a people space. These low-cost methods allow us to activate the public realm and I think they begin to pave the way for some more permanent measures. These are tactical deployments that are testing grounds that can lead to more permanent installations, and a people-driven public realm.
Ramey’s Five Favorite Open Spaces in Greater Boston
- TheMinuteman Bikeway in Arlington and Cambridge, for weekend rides with family and commuting.
- Middlesex Fells Reservation in Medford, forweekend hikes whenhe’s in the city.
- World’s End in Hingham.It’sa classic Olmsted park with amazing setting and waterfront views.
- McLennan Park in Arlington,apark he helped design where his son plays home soccer games.
- Rose Kennedy Greenway in Boston,a great weekday lunch spot (withfood trucks!).
