20 Unity Court
LDA Architects, completed 2000
Retaining the facade along a narrow byway, a former tenement building has been exploded into a dramatic glass townhouse with multistory spaces and spectacular views of Old North Church. Photo © Michael Southworth

Chilled Water Plant Expansion at MIT
Ellenzweig Associates, completed 2001
Pipes and machines are showcased as industrial sculpture behind a glass wall. Photo © Michael Southworth

MBTA Traction Power Substation
Ellenzweig Associates, completed 2003
A granite, limestone, and aluminum facade masks major power and ventilation equipment, discreetly fitting into its financial district context. Photo © Michael Southworth

Genzyme Center
Behnisch Architects, completed 2003
This cutting-edge green building employs heliostatic harvesting of daylight, waterless urinals, a green roof that recycles rain water, recycled and locally sourced building materials, and sustainable furnishings—all built on a brown field site. Photo © Anton Grassi

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Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge
Christian Menn, completed 2003
The widest cable-stayed bridge in the world provides a striking entrance to Boston. The 270-foot slingshot towers recall the nearby Bunker Hill obelisk. Photo © Michael Southworth

Badger-Rosen SquashBusters
Childs, Bertman, Tseckares, completed 2003
The silver curving structure on pilotis houses an innovative athletic program for at-risk youth. Photo © Michael Southworth

Artists for Humanity EpiCenter
Arrowstreet, completed 2004
At-risk youth learn business and art in one of the greenest buildings in the country. Sustainable features include rainwater harvesting, use of recycled and salvaged materials, natural cooling via a night airshaft, and photovoltaic energy production. Photo © Richard Mandelkorn

Ray and Maria Stata Center for Computer, Information, and Intelligence Sciences at MIT
Gehry Partners with Cannon Design, completed in 2004
Three acres of jumbled, folded, falling planes of stainless steel, titanium, multicolor enamel, and brick wrap the chaotic facade of two U-shaped towers. Inside, a winding “student street” invites accidental cross pollination between different disciplines. Photo © Peter Vanderwarker

Simmons Hall at MIT
Stephen Holl with Perry Dean Rogers Partners, completed 2005
Almost pure sculpture, a perforated facade of sanded aluminum wraps three 10-story towers. Color within the perforations represents structural loads: red is high, yellow is medium, and blue is low. Photo © Paul Warchol

Brain and Cognitive Sciences Complex at MIT
Charles Correa with Goody, Clancy & Associates, completed 2005
The sober yet graceful structure is a reaction to the hyper-active Stata Center across the street. Built over an active rail corridor, elaborate engineering was required to house vibration-free labs for neuroscientists, computer scientists, and biologists. Photo © Anton Grassl/Esto