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On Thursday, March 29, the Boston Architectural College presented its annual Cascieri Lectureship in the Humanities, entitled Out of the Park, featuring Boston Red Sox Senior Vice President for Planning & Development, Janet Marie Smith.

The night commenced with a reception to welcome Janet Marie Smith to the BAC. Past Cascieri lecturer H. Morse Payne FAIA Emeritus was honored with the presentation of The Selfless Labor Award. This award recognizes the long-term commitment and support of the BAC educational model.



The event was attended by approximately 150 guests, who crowded into Cascieri Hall. Alumni Board Chair, Bernie Goba, explained the history of the lectureship and Dean Arcangelo Cascieri. The lectureship was established by the BAC Alumni Association in 1992 on the occasion of the Dean’s 90th birthday to honor his outstanding contributions. Each year the BAC welcomes a speaker whose vision and philosophy are consistent with the spirit of humanism that exemplified the Dean.



Smith’s lecture focused on the great American ballparks as “neighborhood civic centers” and the interesting ways in which they both define a community, while the community defines the venue itself. Fenway Park was her focal point, explaining her renovations for extra seating, a more atmospheric concession area, and even the irrigation systems that allow for concerts during Red Sox away games.

Despite the need to preserve Fenway’s history, there’s a constant need for renovation. Smith reflected on the arrival of Daisuke Matsuzaka and the consequent increase in Japanese press. Since his signing, Smith has already increased the capacity in the press box, but she admits that, with only days left till opening day, they are still working out where to fit the extra photographers on the field.

All of her work has proven Fenway as an effective architectural model for mixed uses; an historic ballpark that maintains its charm while boasting the amenities of its contemporary brethren. Although, there are no plans to reconstruct the parks’ columns – the ones that create the ever-frustrating “obstructed view” seats at Fenway. As Smith explained, “they have lasted for 95 years, and probably won’t change.” Her vision for the ballpark stretches up into the blue sky beyond the Green Monster and past the Citgo sign– a view which, according to Smith, falls into her “Blue Sky Rule”, a rule that never allows for the obstruction of the city view.

The evening concluded with the presentation of the Cascieri medal to Smith by Board Chair Chuck Redmon and Bernie Goba.



Past Cascieri Lecturers include: 2006 Paolo Soleri; 2005 Dr. Herbert Benson; 2004 Andrew Cuomo; 2003 Tina Packer; 2002 The Honorable Richard Swett FAIA; 2001 Jorge Silvetti FAIA; 2000 Jill Medvedow; 1999 The Honorable Michael S. Dukakis; 1998 Norman Leventhal; 1997 Robert Brown; 1996 Robert Campbell FAIA and Peter Vanderwarker; 1995 Christopher Lydon; 1994 Moshe Safdie FAIA; and 1993 H. Morse Payne FAIA Emeritus.