Josep Lluis Sert, a Barcelona architect, left a significant mark on Boston with his Mediterranean-inspired modernist designs. Notably, his Lego-like structures along the Charles River, including Boston University’s Charles River campus and Harvard’s Peabody Terrace, reflect his early vision of “the human scale.” Sert’s upbringing in Catalonia and admiration for Gaudi and Picasso influenced his work, though his designs often struggled against Boston’s harsh climate. Despite his building’s maintenance challenges, Sert’s contributions to Boston’s skyline and urban planning, emphasizing green spaces and reduced car dependence, remain vital. His architecture continues to shape Boston, warranting renewed appreciation and understanding.
With its icy roads and frigid demeanor, Boston may be the least Catalan city in existence. While a Barça jersey might occasionally be spotted on the subway, the Mediterranean warmth is notably absent. Hispanic cuisine is making its presence felt, as it does nationwide. However, this influence is mostly from Latin America. Spain, and especially Catalonia feels distant.
Given this, its surprising that Boston entrusted major commissions to Josep Lluis Sert, a Barcelona architect with a distinct Mediterranean identity. Sert’s Lego-like cubes, prominent along the Charles River, have left a lasting mark on Boston and Cambridge. His modernist vision, seen in structure like Boston University’s Charles River campus and Harvard’s Peabody Terrace, reflects a Catalan perspective on urban design.
Although these towers may not seem Mediterranean, they originate form Sert’s early career vision inspired by the humble dwellings of eastern Spain and Ibiza. Sert valued “the human scale,” celebrating small houses without fences or cars. Over time, as his projects grew larger and he moved to New York and Boston, his buildings became more grandiose. Yet, elements of his original vision remain in the alternating window sizes and vibrant concrete designs.
Sert, deeply influenced by Catalan creativity, drew inspiration from figures like Gaudi, Picasso, and Joan Miró. He celebrated modest Mediterranean dwellings in his early works, advocating for “an architecture of climate, a Mediterranean architecture designed for an internal sun.” However, Boston’s harsh winds are far from Mediterranean, and Sert’s concrete structures have required significant maintenance. Despite Sert’s intention to bring Mediterranean color and life to Peabody Terrace, the gray slabs lacked vibrancy, though small human touches were present in the design.
Sert’s later works, including his Harvard tenure ending in 1969, deviated from his early human-scale projects. After his time in New York, Sert returned to Ibiza, where he continued lecturing until his death in 1983.
As Boston experiences a new building boom, it’s worth reconsidering Sert’s impact. His architecture, integral to the city’s fabric like Bulfinch’s or Richardson’s, offers lessons in both ambition and idealism. Sert’s advocacy for green space and human-scale urbanism remains relevant, despite the criticism of his grand designs.
Sert’s realistic acceptance of change, expressed in a 1964 Boston Sunday Globe Magazine articles, underscores the enduring presence of his buildings. As Boston continues to evolve, getting to know Sert’s architectural legacy is essential.
