Berklee’s Roger H. Brown Jr. Building Honored by Boston Society for Architecture

The 160 Massachusetts Avenue building, designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc., received the prestigious Harleston Parker Medal.

March 18, 2024
160 building

The Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) presented the 2023 Harleston Parker Medal to Berklee's Roger H. Brown Jr. Building, located at 160 Massachusetts Avenue.
Image by Bruce Martin

The Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) presented the 2023 Harleston Parker Medal to the Roger H. Brown Jr. Building, located at 160 Massachusetts Avenue. This award recognizes “the most beautiful piece of architecture, building, monument, or structure built in the metropolitan Boston area in the past 10 years.” Designed by William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc., the building was praised by the jury, who said, “the spaces within the building fill the users with hope and . . . the beauty can be found not just in the design of the building, but also within the people that inhabit it.” The Roger H. Brown Jr. building was built in 2013, and is named after Berklee’s third president, who served in the role for 17 years.

“On behalf of Berklee, I’d like to extend our congratulations to William Rawn Associates on being recognized with the Harleston Parker Medal by the Boston Society for Architecture for the beauty of the Roger H. Brown Jr. building,” said David Bogen, interim president and provost for Berklee. “It is a building and a set of spaces that are central to life at Berklee: indoor and outdoor gathering areas, studios and practice rooms, major production suites, our largest residence hall, and the world-class Duke Ellington Caf—complete with a stage for performances after hours.”

The award was presented at the BSA’s annual gala on Thursday, March 7. Each year, the gala celebrates projects that advance excellence in various aspects of architecture and design in the Boston area.

“The annual BSA Gala Awards showcase the extensive talent and innovation in the Boston design community," said BSA President Sam Batchelor AIA (American Institute of Architects). "The incredible work being done reflects our commitment to improving the quality of life for Boston-area residents by solving critical equity and sustainability challenges in the built environment.”

About the BSA

The Boston Society for Architecture (BSA) is a nonprofit membership organization focused on improving the quality of life for Boston-area residents by championing innovation in the built environment, with particular emphasis on sustainability and social equity. We achieve this by connecting our diverse and passionate network of over 4,500 architects, firms and allied members through collaborative initiatives that create solutions towards a more equitable and sustainable future. We extend and deepen these efforts philanthropically through our BSA Foundation, with donations and hands-on work in our community. The BSA is one of the oldest and largest chapters of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). For more information about the BSA and the BSA Foundation, visit architects.org.