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

Justin Krug Photography
ポートランドにあるラグジュアリーな巨大なカントリー風のおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ) の写真

The family room, including the kitchen and breakfast area, features stunning indirect lighting, a fire feature, stacked stone wall, art shelves and a comfortable place to relax and watch TV. Photography: Mark Boisclair

Brad Montgomery tym Homes
ソルトレイクシティにある高級な広いトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなLDK (標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、白い壁、無垢フローリング、茶色い床) の写真

Living room. Photography by Lucas Henning.
シアトルにあるラグジュアリーな広いコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、無垢フローリング、横長型暖炉、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床、金属の暖炉まわり) の写真

The linear fireplace with stainless trim creates a dramatic focal point in this contemporary family room. Dave Adams Photography
サクラメントにある中くらいなコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなリビング (横長型暖炉、壁掛け型テレビ、白い壁、無垢フローリング、金属の暖炉まわり) の写真

Unificamos el espacio de salón comedor y cocina para ganar amplitud, zona de juegos y multitarea. Aislamos la pared que nos separa con el vecino, para ganar privacidad y confort térmico. Apostamos para revestir esta pared con ladrillo manual auténtico. La climatización para los meses más calurosos la aportamos con ventiladores muy silenciosos y eficientes.

リトルロックにある中くらいなトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれな独立型リビング (ライブラリー、白い壁、無垢フローリング、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

ワシントンD.C.にあるトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、カーペット敷き、暖炉なし、テレビなし、茶色い床) の写真

ロサンゼルスにあるラグジュアリーな広いコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、テレビなし) の写真

Legno Bastone Dolce Vita Collection Longobardi now available at Urban Design Floors showroom
デンバーにあるトロピカルスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、無垢フローリング、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

Modern functionality meets rustic charm in this expansive custom home. Featuring a spacious open-concept great room with dark hardwood floors, stone fireplace, and wood finishes throughout.

ニューヨークにある北欧スタイルのおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、無垢フローリング、暖炉なし、テレビなし) の写真

The modern mix is a blending of many materials and ideas to create a stunning home. Photography by Vernon Wentz of Ad Imagery
ダラスにある広いモダンスタイルのおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、木材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

A mixture of classic construction and modern European furnishings redefines mountain living in this second home in charming Lahontan in Truckee, California. Designed for an active Bay Area family, this home is relaxed, comfortable and fun.

アトランタにある中くらいなトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、無垢フローリング、標準型暖炉、石材の暖炉まわり、壁掛け型テレビ、茶色い床) の写真

The Craftsman shiplap continues into the Living Room/Great room, providing a relaxed, yet finished look on the walls. The built-in's provide space for storage, display and additional seating, helping to make this space functional and flexible.

オーランドにあるお手頃価格の中くらいなエクレクティックスタイルのおしゃれなリビング (白い壁、カーペット敷き、暖炉なし、テレビなし) の写真

PC: Hallmark Floors
ハワイにある中くらいなモダンスタイルのおしゃれなLDK (白い壁、無垢フローリング、横長型暖炉、壁掛け型テレビ) の写真