July 29, 2022 Chris Impellizeri is making this summer work at HBI
Over the next two months, Chris Impellizeri of West Roxbury will be juggling three summer internship projects that will help HBI predict the future.
Chris is researching models for shared use of former historic church buildings for HBI’s project at St. James African Orthodox Church; modeling the energy use of all tenants at the Old Corner Bookstore to help HBI plan for reducing the buildings’ carbon footprints in upcoming improvements; and researching historic preservation organizations throughout the world that also rehabilitate building to assist HBI in its next round of strategic planning.
While that’s a tall order for the young DePaul University rising junior, he’s up for it. “I’m interested in cities – especially Boston,” says Chris. “This variety of projects is giving me insights into the many dimensions of preservation and city building.”
Chris grew up in West Roxbury and graduated from Boston Latin School. He chose Chicago and DePaul for college “to see how another city works” and to study graphic design. He’s since shifted his thinking a little, toward a degree in Urban Planning and Development, with the goal of working in public policy and community development. “As cities like Boston continue to grow and change,” he says, “it’s vital that our most marginalized citizens have their needs met without fear of displacement or cultural loss. I hope my work will support preservation and improvements in urban spaces and their cultural diversity, shifting from heavily commercialized, gentrified, auto-focused developments towards pedestrian forward, sustainable, and enriching communities”.
So far, he’s been in touch with preservation organizations in the Netherlands and UK to compare business models with HBI’s work, and he’s deeply immersed in populating the Energy Star Portfolio Manager with data from the Old Corner Bookstore complex to track energy and water usage. Over the next couple of months, Chris will share some of his research and findings with us and with you. Stay tuned!