NABB's Architecture Committee focuses on projects that impact the architecture and streetscapes of the Back Bay. The Committee's main concern is to provide input to the Back Bay Architectural Commission ("BBAC"), a city commission that has had jurisdiction over all changes to building exteriors in Back Bay since the 1960's. Each month applications are submitted to the BBAC for proposed exterior building alterations or additions. From all of the applications submitted, the co-chairs select those that they feel are of particular significance. The selected applicants are then asked to present their plans to the NABB Architecture Committee.

At our monthly meeting, the NABB Architecture Committee members review the applicants' presentations and discuss the plans that they have been shown. As a result of the discussion, a decision is made concerning the appropriateness of the proposed plans. The decision is than reported by one of the co-chairs to the applicant and then to the BBAC at their monthly meeting held one week later. Our goal, as residents of Back Bay, is to influence the applicant's proposal and the decisions made by the BBAC in ways that will benefit and preserve our historic neighborhood. Although the Committee's main focus is on reviewing BBAC applications, it is also concerned with other neighborhood matters that have an architectural or visual impact, for example newsboxes, street furniture and other projects outside the jurisdiction of the BBAC.

The monthly meetings of the NABB Architecture Committee are held on the first Wednesday of every month at 6:30 PM and usually last about two hours. The meetings are held in the boardroom of the New England Collage of Optometry located at 424 Beacon Street. Although sensitivity to the architectural quality of the district is important, no previous experience or expertise in architectural matters is necessary in order to become a member of this committee.

For an overview of Boston's historic districts, click here.

If you are contemplating making any exterior architectural changes to a Back Bay building, you should obtain a copy of the Back Bay Architectural Commission Guidelines by clicking here and going to Back Bay Architectural Commission, Guidelines for the Residential District.

For more information or to receive our monthly email agenda announcements, please contact the NABB office at