dumontjanks

St. James Church is a state historic register building in the heart of a vital Cambridge neighborhood. The project links the historic church with a new mixed-use complex, combining parish hall, classrooms for children’s programs, library, neighborhood food pantry, music practice rooms, and upper-level residential. Parking is handled below grade to preserve landscape opportunities. The church and new buildings form a south-facing cloister with a lawn and garden that provides tranquil community space and storm water infiltration. The project creates transitional spaces between the private sequestered environment and the active civic life of Massachusetts Avenue through a sheltering grove of oaks. The work extends to the street curb, adding new city walks, street trees, and lighting.