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. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

This steel and wood covered patio makes for a great outdoor living and dining area overlooking the pool There is also a pool cabana with a fireplace and a TV for lounging poolside.

Photo Andrew Wuttke

Architect: Richard Warner General Contractor: Allen Construction Photo Credit: Jim Bartsch Award Winner: Master Design Awards, Best of Show

Fireplace: - 9 ft. linear Bottom horizontal section-Tile: Emser Borigni White 18x35- Horizontal stacked Top vertical section- Tile: Emser Borigni Diagonal Left/Right- White 18x35 Grout: Mapei 77 Frost Fireplace wall paint: Web Gray SW 7075 Ceiling Paint: Pure White SW 7005 Paint: Egret White SW 7570 Photographer: Steve Chenn

L’appartamento si trova alle pendici dell’Etna, vicino Catania, all’interno di un complesso residenziale degli anni ’70. Linea guida del progetto è stata la volontà di creare un grande open space che contenesse tutte le funzioni di cucina, zona pranzo e soggiorno, che divenisse il vero e proprio core dell’abitazione, eliminando le tramezzature . Qui il cambio di pavimentazione, gres grande formato color cemento per la cucina e rovere di Slavonia per la zona pranzo, distingue le diverse funzioni all’interno di un unico spazio, cosi come il controsoffitto contribuisce a differenziarle tramite salti di quota e uso differente del colore, bianco e alto per le aree di conversazione e pranzo, grigio e basso per le aree distributive e di passaggio. Qui quest’ultimo diviene in verticale ora guardaroba accanto l’ingresso, ora armadio contenitivo e dispensa nella zona prospicente la cucina, ora libreria vicino il grande tavolo da pranzo in legno. Attraverso una porta filo muro scorrevole si accede alla zona notte: qui si trovano le stanze da letto, il bagno principale e un bagno per gli ospiti .

Sheila Peña

This sunroom faces into a private outdoor courtyard. With the use of oversized, double-pivoting doors, the inside and outside spaces are seamlessly connected. In the cooler months, the room is a warm enclosed space bathed in sunlight and surrounded by plants. Aaron Leitz Photography

Matthew Ware

Built from the ground up on 80 acres outside Dallas, Oregon, this new modern ranch house is a balanced blend of natural and industrial elements. The custom home beautifully combines various materials, unique lines and angles, and attractive finishes throughout. The property owners wanted to create a living space with a strong indoor-outdoor connection. We integrated built-in sky lights, floor-to-ceiling windows and vaulted ceilings to attract ample, natural lighting. The master bathroom is spacious and features an open shower room with soaking tub and natural pebble tiling. There is custom-built cabinetry throughout the home, including extensive closet space, library shelving, and floating side tables in the master bedroom. The home flows easily from one room to the next and features a covered walkway between the garage and house. One of our favorite features in the home is the two-sided fireplace – one side facing the living room and the other facing the outdoor space. In addition to the fireplace, the homeowners can enjoy an outdoor living space including a seating area, in-ground fire pit and soaking tub.

A comfortable study with sliding doors leading into adjacent living room

Interior Designer: Chris Powell Builder: John Wilke Photography: David O. Marlow

The dramatic front-door surround gives a hint of the architectural language of the addition in the back of the house. A hand-hammered vaulted copper canopy hangs above the door and is lit from below for dramatic effect. A door with a glass light allows for a glimpse of what awaits you inside.