Goethe-Institut Boston

Renovation of a five story townhouse in the historic Back Bay district in Boston. The house - formerly a Victorian Brownstone from the 1850’s was extensively remodeled in 1900 by the architect Ogden Codman for the Boston financier Eben Howard Gay. Based on the styles of late 18th century English Adam design, French Neo- Classicism and American Federal architecture, the house design integrated Architecture and decoration according to the principles Ogden Codman and Edith Wharton had laid down in their book The Decoration of Houses from 1897. They advocated a reform of taste from dark, eclectic Victorian interiors to a new classicism marked by clearly structured decor and airy elegance. 

In 1967 the German Goethe-Institut acquired this building for their first branch in the United States. 50 years into this occupancy, KARO Architects have planned and implemented the first comprehensive renovation and modernization of this historically significant townhouse. 

Size: 11,000 sf 

Completion: 2019

Location: Boston, MA

View the Reopening of the Goethe-Institut Boston by German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier

Visit the Goethe Institut Boston on Instagram.

Photography:  © Mark Römisch