ARCHITECT
David O’Sullivan O’Sullivan Architects, Inc. Shifting currents in the development community tions are slowly easing, zoning is becoming more favorable. much-needed infill housing and adaptive reuse opportunities in neighborhoods that have remained underdeveloped due to procedural gridlock.
livability; it’s essential to it. The continued success of the imple- mentation of the MBTA zoning in cities and towns around Boston is helping open new opportunities. They are starting to respond. We’re seeing towns from Arlington to Weston reconsider their zoning to encourage multifamily devel- opment near transit. As architects, we’re tasked not only with designing buildings but with helping communities visu- alize what change can look like, and why it’s worth embracing. “Density” doesn’t have to mean towering glass boxes; it can mean human-scale, context-sensitive design that complements existing neighborhoods. By reimagining underused sites such as parking lots, aging commercial strips, obsolete industrial parcels, we can create new housing that strengthens communities rather than displacing them. Mixed-use developments, adaptive reuse of historic structures, and small infill projects all have a role to play in bridging the gap between demand and supply. For architects, this moment is one of both challenges and pos- sibility. With high interest rates and rising material costs, creativity becomes essential. Design solu- tions that balance affordability, energy efficiency, and contextual sensitivity are no longer optional, they’re the key to making projects financially viable. Architects have a critical role to play in bridging policy and practice. We translate sustainability mandates into design that works for both the developer’s bottom line and environmental goals. While there’s still much to be done, the overall mood feels a little different this fall. Conver- sations are beginning to lead to awareness that no one action or change to one factor will kick start the industry. It is a whole multitude of small moves to make a difference. Developers are cau- tiously re-engaging, policymakers are listening, and communities are becoming more involved in shaping what gets built. As an architect, I feel my job is helping guide the evolution of the built environment toward some- thing more equitable, resilient, and inspiring. The opportunities are real; the question now is how quickly we can align vision, policy, and investment to make them a reality. David O’Sullivan, AIA, is the presi- dent of O’Sullivan Architects, Inc., Reading, Mass.
term investment. We are seeing developers explore mixed-use and transit-oriented projects near major transit hubs such as South Bay, Nubian Square, and along the Red Line corridor. These proj- ects reflect a deeper shift toward community integration, creating walkable, resilient environments that combine housing, small busi- ness spaces, and public amenities. At both the state and local levels, there’s growing momentum be- hind housing reform. The MBTA CommunitiesAct, which requires cities and towns served by transit to zone for multifamily housing, represents one of the most signif- icant policy shifts in decades. It’s a recognition that density, when done thoughtfully, isn’t a threat to
One of the biggest challenges in Boston’s built environment has always been navigating its complex web of zoning codes and permitting requirements. Over the past year, however, there’s been tangible movement toward re- form. The city of Boston’s Zoning Code Rewrite Project, along with efforts to modernize Article 80 re- view processes, signals a growing recognition that our development framework must evolve to meet today’s housing and sustainability demands. This shift doesn’t mean less oversight, it means smarter oversight. Streamlining reviews for smaller and mid-scale proj- ects, for example, could unlock
For years, development in Massachusetts has been ham- pered by layers of regulatory complexity: restrictive zoning, lengthy approval processes, and community opposition rooted in a desire to preserve “character” at the expense of progress. Over the past year, I’ve sensed a shift. The governor has announced easing and streamlining of some review procedures which should help speed up approval timelines and save development costs. Despite economic headwinds, Boston continues to attract long-
We’ve entered a new season yet there’s a familiar mix of anticipa- tion and uncertainty in Boston’s real estate development scene. The conversations have been plentiful, about housing shortages, construction costs, and regulatory reform, but the visible progress has been slow to follow. From my perspective as an architect working closely with developers, planners, and communities across Greater Boston, I’m beginning to see encouraging signs that the tide may finally be turning as regula -
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