Hatchlings, coming November 2024
Winter Lights on The Greenway
About
Created by interdisciplinary design team Studio HHH, Hatchlings provide Boston’s residents and visitors with an experiential destination during the coldest months of the year. This creative activation was selected as the winning design from the Greenway Conservancy’s 2023 Request for Proposals for a winter lights installation. Hatchlings pays joyful homage to one of Boston’s architectural gems, the Hatch Shell on The Charles River Esplanade. This structure inspired Studio HHH to pose a whimsical question: What if the Hatch Shell hatched a cluster of baby “shells” that wandered off down The Greenway like adventurous ducklings?
Hatchlings will be on display mid-November 2024 through February 2025.
Photo Credit: Studio HHH
This project, first displayed in November of 2023, was the first creative collaboration between the Greenway Conservancy and the Esplanade Association. Now in its second year, the Greenway is proud to host all nine Hatchlings, which will be illuminated at night as well as during the daylight hours.
The Hatchlings are lit using a combination of solar power and grid power, inviting the public to think more critically about our natural resources while pushing creative and technical limits. The fully grid-powered lights illuminate from 7am-11pm, while the solar powered lights turn on at dusk and stay lit for varying lengths of times depending on the amount of solar charge per day. By bridging Boston’s technological advances Hatchlings invite the public to envision a brighter and more environmentally sustainable future for our city.
Visit
The Hatchlings will serve as sites for informal gatherings, photo backdrops, and activations on The Greenway. For more information on upcoming events in connection to Hatchlings, please visit our events calendar.
Hatchlings will be on view on The Greenway from November 22, 2024 through February 24, 2025.
Follow the Hatchlings’ winter fun on social media at @rosekennedygreenway and @hhh_designstudio and share your own posts using #HatchlingsOnTheGreenway
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- 3.5 ft tall x 7 ft wide
- Solar and grid powered
- This Hatchling is nestled in the well-curated plantings of North Meadow, with a half-round stage access from the boardwalk path. It is the brightest Hatchling per sq/in with over 6,000 lights animated in blue, purple, and pink.
From this location: Visitors can easily see the Zakim Bridge, another result of the Big Dig project that created The Greenway. An iconic feature in Boston’s skyline, the bridge spans 1,432 feet long and has a uniquely asymmetrical, hybrid design; an homage to the city’s past and future.
Learn more: North Meadow on The Greenway – History & Background
Photo credit: Studio HHH
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- 7 ft tall x 14 ft wide
- Grid powered
- The second largest Hatchling on The Greenway, this location is easily accessible from Boston Public Market and Faneuil Hall.
From this location: Take a moment to honor the legacy of generations prior. Walk across the street to the intersection of Hanover and Surface Road to visit the Freedom Trail. You can also stroll over to one of The Greenway’s newest public art installations, Going to Ground, from artist LaRissa Rogers, a visual reminder of a once forgotten past.
Learn more: Going to Ground, 2024
Photo credit: Studio HHH
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- 8.5 ft x 17 ft wide
- Grid powered
- One of the two largest Hatchlings in this installation, this pavilion is a perfect location for gatherings; the concrete steps of the fountain provide ample seating for spectators enjoying the show. To illuminate the space, the Hatchling has over 12,000 programmable lights and illuminates in a range of patterns and colors.
From this location: Though the iconic Rings Fountain is off for the winter, visitors can still take a look at the intricate pavers, jigsawing in a spiral pattern.
Learn more: Rings Fountain: 350 pavers, 156 lights, and 3 miles of wire!
Winter Ready: Caring For The Greenway’s Fountains in the Cooler MonthsPhoto credit: Studio HHH
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- 8.5 ft tall x 17 ft wide and 4.5 ft tall x 9 ft wide
- Grid Powered
- This location serves as the only dual installation of the Hatchlings, showcasing the size variance between pavilions when placed side by side. Enjoy photographing and don’t forget to tag @rosekennedygreenway and @hhh_designstudio
From this location: Spend some time celebrating the natural and city landscape during the day and at night. Enjoy the atmosphere of the park and take a moment to look up, both at the city architecture and for migratory birds.
Learn more: Birding on The Greenway and in Your Backyard
Photo credit: Studio HHH
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- 7 ft tall x 14 ft wide
- Grid Powered
- This Hatchling is tucked inside a ring of trees, making it less visible from the street. Large enough to immerse yourself in the sparkling lights, this Hatchling is perfect for a quieter or more contemplative experience.
From this location: This Hatchling creates a pathway to embrace Boston Harbor. Enjoy a moment along the ocean and take in the sea breeze.
Learn more: Hatchlings Winter Lights: A Q&A With Studio HHH
Photo credit: Studio HHH
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- 5.5 ft tall x 11 ft wide
- Solar Powered
- Located along a curving path with no street lights, this Hatchling is particularly bright and colorful, featuring over 12,000 lights in rainbow hues and vibrant patterns.
From this location: Take a look around at this urban landscape and notice the lack of electrical infrastructure. Typically quieter and less illuminated than other areas of The Greenway, this location presented a unique opportunity to create light in the darkness. This particular Hatchling is solar powered and has been strategically placed to take advantage of solar exposure.
Learn more: Before the Warm – the Bones of Trees
Photo credit: Studio HHH
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- 4.3 ft tall x 8.6 ft wide
- Solar and Grid Power
- This Hatchling features an animated rainbow of colors intended to compliment the iconic Dewey Square mural.
From this location: This location is visible from South Station, an ideal starting place for a Hatchlings tour. The smallest Hatchling at Chin Park in Chinatown is a short walk away before you travel north on The Greenway to visit the rest.
Learn more: Jeffrey Gibson: your spirit whispering in my ear, 2024
Photo credit: Studio HHH
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- 2.5 ft tall x 5 ft wide
- Grid Power
- Visit the smallest Hatchling on The Greenway tucked atop a tiny hill at the gateway to Chin Park, visible to both pedestrians and people driving by. This Hatchling draws color inspiration from the Chinatown Park Gate, featuring vivid red and a mix of warm tones.
From this location: Chinatown’s rich history is on display throughout Mary Soo Hoo Park and Chin Park. Enjoy the Far Away, From Home, by artist Zhidong Zhang, the community gathering spaces, and the play areas.
Learn more: Exploring the Park with Chinatown HOPE
Photo credit: Studio HHH
INTERACTIVE MAP-
The Greenway Conservancy’s Winter Lights Program is exclusively funded through private sources. Hatchlings by Studio HHH (2023–2024) was made possible through the generous support of Meet Boston.
