Last Friday, benches made of the former BSA Green Staircase were installed at the new courtyard at the 112 Southampton Shelter. JKhoory Design Studio redesigned the outdoor space to create a place for residents to focus on health and wellness by offering a place of refuge, which opened last November. Located in the Mass and Cass area of Boston, what was previously a contaminated MBTA site is now a functional area for shelter residents to exercise, play, meditate, and enjoy peacefully being outside. Support for physical and mental health is especially vital for those living in shelters, and the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) has been supporting the development of outdoor spaces such as this to be an alternative to the streets.

Above: The plans for redesigning the outdoor space at the shelter. Image by JKhoory Design Studio.

Creating and Installing the Benches

Remember those green stairs we’ve been talking about since the spring, in this series of articles? Sections were set aside as donations for this shelter revitalization project, to be turned into outdoor benches.

Above: Raw-edged sections of the staircase.

Above: A fresh coat of paint for the benches.

The benches have now been installed on-site, with a fresh coat of paint and a new purpose. They have been situated throughout the space, particularly the colorful game and fitness areas. By planning to repurpose the stairs before the demolition began back in February, we were able to donate them to be available to Boston-area residents in an equitable way. Everybody needs to sit, and it is innately human to want to do so outside and feel safe, comfortable, and calm.

Interested in getting a piece of the stairs for your firm or yourself? The Green Stairs Mementos are still available, take a look at the options on display at the BSA Space or online here.