Exclusive Sunday Preview | Ideas

How Boston City Hall was born

Fifty years after a groundbreaking competition, two architects look back at the project that polarized the city — and gave it a new lease on life.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of a design competition in which architects were invited to imagine a new Boston City Hall.

Historic New England

This year marks the 50th anniversary of a design competition in which architects were invited to imagine a new Boston City Hall.

Michael McKinnell (standing) and Gerhard Kallmann, photographed recently in Cambridge.

Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff

Architects Michael McKinnell (standing) and Gerhard Kallmann, photographed recently in Cambridge, won the design competition.

The city decided to demolish the neighborhood known as Scollay Square (pictured in 1906) and build in its place what would come to be called Government Center.

Globe File

The city decided to demolish the neighborhood known as Scollay Square (pictured in 1906) and build in its place what would come to be called Government Center.

From the competition, Kallmann's drawing showing a cross section of the building.

Historic New England

From the competition, Kallmann's drawing showing a cross section of the building.

Historic New England

A preliminary sketch from McKinnell shows the structural and mechanical systems of the building.

In the design competition, architects were invited to imagine a forward-looking home for Boston's city government. Shown here, a design that did not win.

Globe File

In the competition, architects were invited to imagine a forward-looking home for Boston's city government. Shown here, a design made it to the second round of the competition, but did not win.

Globe File

An overhead view of the previous design that made the second round of the competition, but did not win.

A look at another losing design from the competition. The city announced the competition, which was uncommon in its time, in 1961.

Globe File

Another finalist from the competition, this one from Progressive Design Associates. The city announced the competition, which was uncommon in its time, in 1961.

Another non-winning entry in the design competition. Eight finalists were chosen from among more than 250 submissions.

Globe File

This design by architects Ehrman B. Mitchell Jr., Romaldo Giurgola, and Thomas R. Vreeland was also a finalist. Eight finalists were chosen from among more than 250 submissions.

Globe File

Kallmann and McKinnell’s winning design was selected in 1962.

Globe File

Ground-breaking for the construction of the new City Hall building took place in September, 1963.

A look at Boston City Hall under construction in 1967.

Globe File

A look at Boston City Hall under construction in 1967.

City Hall, with its wide plaza, in 1998.

Globe File Photo

City Hall, with its wide plaza, in 1998.

Sunday Preview | Globe Magazine

In defense of getting married

The new pro-single talk is pushing the idea that marriage is inherently dull, repetitive, and mind-numbing, while being single is full of adventure and intellectual stimulation. That is a whopping generalization.

Photos

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The Globe photographs that were recognized as being among the best last year.

After uproar, Obama shifts birth control policy

The head of the nation’s Roman Catholic bishops called the president’s decision to require insurance companies, not employers, to cover birth control a “step in the right direction.”

Newt Gingrich spoke today at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington, D.C.

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“People look at the park and think it’s beautiful, but if you spend more time there you realize the grass is patchy, and the soil is like concrete.”

Sylvia Salas,  executive director of The Esplanade Association

Globe Insiders

Globe Talks | Feb. 15, 6 p.m.

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Photo gallery

Photos of the week
Julie Brady (far left) posed for a Brady family photo at a charity event in 2008. Julie and Red Sox star Kevin Youkilis are engaged.

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A Libyan fighter leaves Mass. for home
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Dave Maynard in an undated handout photo from WBZ.

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Sports Media

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CRITIC'S NOTEBOOK

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Rare bird sighted in Wellfleet
Paul Pierce passed Larry Bird to become the Celtics’ second all time leading scorer on Tuesday.

Pierce gets All-Star nod; Garnett, Allen left out

Columnists

SCOT LEHIGH

Money, machine, but no message

Bob Ryan

Lakers’ win nothing to get nostalgic about
Josh Bekcett and the Red Sox will begin spring training next week.

Tony Massarotti

Josh Beckett must take responsibility

Edward L. Glaeser

Gaffe gives Romney chance to redesign safety net

Opinion | Brian McGrory

I’ll take Tom, and hold the Mayo

Joan Wickersham

A valentine to Ella

ALEX BEAM

Poe — we hardly knew ye

Boston Capital

Shrinking the foreclosed real estate glut
Mattapan, MA 020412 Jennifer Smith (cq), of Mattapan picks up her son Sammy Aaron, (cq), 6, his Mather School in Dorchester elementary school every day. She doen't let him ride the school bus since he was dropped off at the wrong stop on January 4, 2012.(Essdras M Suarez/ Globe Staff)/MET

Yvonne Abraham

Wrong bus stop, wrong response

Brian McGrory

Joey’s long legacy

Juliette Kayyem

Tweeting with a pile of Saudi money

Gareth Cook

Why scientists are boycotting a publisher

Metro

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Boston, Mass--090911--Sal DiMasi leaves the Moakley Federal Court after his sentencing. He was given 8 years to serve at Devens. His stepson Chrisitian puts his hand on his shoulder as he gets into a waiting car..Boston Globe staff photo by John Tlumacki (metro)

DiMasi may testify before grand jury today

Former House speaker Salvatore F. DiMasi is reportedly en route to Worcester, where he is expected to appear before a grand jury.

Business

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Bedford company iRobot Inc. Library Tag 03262011 Business

iRobot shares plunge on predicted losses from defense cuts

Shares of Bedford robot maker iRobot Corp. plunged more than 30 percent to close at $25.17 yesterday, after the company warned of possible losses.

Nation & World

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A damaged bus is shown in front of a Syrian military intelligence building in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo.

Syria says suicide bombers kill 28 in Aleppo

Two suicide car bombers struck Syrian security compounds, killing 28 people, Syrian officials said.

Politics

Political Notebook

Two Romney surrogates in Oklahoma don’t follow script

Two Oklahoma state officials supporting Mitt Romney’s campaign held their fire yesterday on a conference call billed as an attack on rival Rick Santorum.

Sports

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On college basketball

Boston College coach Steve Donahue, left, has a team with nine freshmen on its roster.

Steve Donahue has BC basketball looking up

At BC, no one expected miracles this season. But this is not about wins and losses. It is about the superb job of coaching that Donahue has done.

Movies

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MOVIE REVIEW

‘Safe House’ plays it a little too ‘Safe’

This CIA thriller shows a cool and calm Denzel Washington, but the charisma is missing.

Arts

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Stage Review

‘69° S.’ is entrancing

The near-mythic dimensions of the Shackleton expedition story have prompted a spate of retellings.

Magazine

The cover for the February 5 2012 issue

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The cover for the January 29 2012 issue

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The cover for the January 22 2012 issue

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The cover for the January 15 2012 issue

Mass. voting maps reflect State House evolution

Opinion

“He’s got money. He’s got a machine. But he’s missing the M-word essential to a persuasive campaign: A message.”

Scot Lehigh, on Mitt Romney

Ideas

“For American enthusiasts of the Kagame regime, the Ingabire case points to a dilemma: Rwanda’s remarkable reconciliation and success have gone hand in hand with severely curtailed freedom of speech.”

Peter Canellos,  on free expression in Rwanda