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.

View to entry at sunset. Dining to the right of the entry. Photography by Stephen Brousseau.
シアトルにある高級な中くらいなモダンスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (混合材サイディング) の写真

Curvaceous geometry shapes this super insulated modern earth-contact home-office set within the desert xeriscape landscape on the outskirts of Phoenix Arizona, USA. This detached Desert Office or Guest House is actually set below the xeriscape desert garden by 30", creating eye level garden views when seated at your desk. Hidden below, completely underground and naturally cooled by the masonry walls in full earth contact, sits a six car garage and storage space. There is a spiral stair connecting the two levels creating the sensation of climbing up and out through the landscaping as you rise up the spiral, passing by the curved glass windows set right at ground level. This property falls withing the City Of Scottsdale Natural Area Open Space (NAOS) area so special attention was required for this sensitive desert land project.

Color Consultation using Romabio Biodomus on Brick and Benjamin Regal Select on Trim/Doors/Shutters
アトランタにある高級なトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (レンガサイディング) の写真

Cheryl McIntosh Photographer | greatthingsaredone.com
他の地域にある高級な中くらいなラスティックスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (混合材サイディング) の写真

Coates Design Architects Seattle Lara Swimmer Photography Fairbank Construction
シアトルにある高級な中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (石材サイディング) の写真

Professional photography by South Florida Design
他の地域にある高級な中くらいな地中海スタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (漆喰サイディング) の写真

Entry with Pivot Door
ジャクソンビルにある高級なコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (漆喰サイディング) の写真

Photo: Durston Saylor
ニューヨークにある高級な小さなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (メタルサイディング) の写真

Vue extérieure de la maison
ルアーブルにある高級な中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (コンクリートサイディング、タウンハウス) の写真

Dan Heid
ミネアポリスにある高級な中くらいなラスティックスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (石材サイディング) の写真

アルバカーキにある高級な中くらいなサンタフェスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (アドベサイディング) の写真

セントルイスにある高級な中くらいなトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (レンガサイディング) の写真

Front view of this low country cottage in Okatie South Carolina. This home exudes a warm welcome with the wide porch, warm colors and cream colored Hardie Plank siding, operating wooden shutters in dark blue and the very Southern tabby walkway. Come on in and see what other delights await inside!

Lockwood McLaughlin
他の地域にある高級な中くらいなラスティックスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観の写真

シアトルにある高級なコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (混合材サイディング) の写真

Tommy Daspit
バーミングハムにある高級な中くらいなラスティックスタイルのおしゃれな家の外観 (レンガサイディング) の写真

Inspired by the house on from the movie "Out of Africa" this beautiful farmhouse sits on the corner of Vineyard and Peachy Canyon in Templeton, CA.
サンルイスオビスポにある高級な中くらいなカントリー風のおしゃれな平屋 (漆喰サイディング、緑の外壁) の写真

www.brandoninteriordesign.co.uk You don't get a second chance to make a first impression !! The front door of this grand country house has been given a new lease of life by painting the outdated "orange" wood in a bold and elegant green. The look is further enhanced by the topiary in antique stone plant holders.