This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Eric Roth Photo

Angle Eye Photography

Clawson Architects designed the Main Entry/Stair Hall, flooding the space with natural light on both the first and second floors while enhancing views and circulation with more thoughtful space allocations and period details. AIA Gold Medal Winner for Interior Architectural Element.

Small Home. Staircase -Photographer: Rob Karosis

After opening up the stairwell between the kitchen and the living room, the homeowners had extra storage space under the stairs. Now it's used as the dog's crate area, complete with a custom doggy door. Photography by: William Manning

Leopard animal patterned carpet installed on a set of curved stairs for a client in Newport Beach, CA.

Stone staircase leading to basement. open treads portland limestone.

Lake Front Country Estate Reclaimed Newel Post. Photography by Rachael Boling

BostonRep.com

Super functional under stair storage cabinets. Super heavy duty glides give access to the huge storage cabinets.

Photos by Scott LePage Photography

The classic 5,000-square-foot, five-bedroom Blaine boasts a timeless, traditional façade of stone and cedar shake. Inspired by both the relaxed Shingle Style that swept the East Coast at the turn of the century, and the all-American Four Square found around the country. The home features Old World architecture paired with every modern convenience, along with unparalleled craftsmanship and quality design. The curb appeal starts at the street, where a caramel-colored shingle and stone façade invite you inside from the European-style courtyard. Other highlights include irregularly shaped windows, a charming dovecote and cupola, along with a variety of welcoming window boxes on the street side. The lakeside includes two porches designed to take full advantage of the views, a lower-level walk out, and stone arches that lend an aura of both elegance and permanence. Step inside, and the interiors will not disappoint. The spacious foyer featuring a wood staircase leads into a large, open living room with a natural stone fireplace, rustic beams and nearby walkout deck. Also adjacent is a screened-in porch that leads down to the lower level, and the lakeshore. The nearby kitchen includes a large two-tiered multi-purpose island topped with butcher block, perfect for both entertaining and food preparation. This informal dining area allows for large gatherings of family and friends. Leave the family area, cross the foyer and enter your private retreat — a master bedroom suite attached to a luxurious master bath, private sitting room, and sun room. Who needs vacation when it’s such a pleasure staying home? The second floor features two cozy bedrooms, a bunkroom with built-in sleeping area, and a convenient home office. In the lower level, a relaxed family room and billiards area are accompanied by a pub and wine cellar. Further on, two additional bedrooms await.

This foyer was updated with the addition of white paneling and new herringbone hardwood floors with a walnut border. The walls are covered in a navy blue grasscloth wallpaper from Thibaut. A navy and white geometric patterned stair-runner, held in place with stair rods capped with pineapple finials, further contributes to the home's coastal feel. Photo by Mike Mroz of Michael Robert Construction