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

The staircase once housed a traditional railing with twisted iron pickets. During the renovation, the skirt board was painted in the new wall color, and railings replaced in gunmetal gray steel with a stained wood cap. The end result is an aesthetic more in keeping with the homeowner's collection of contemporary artwork mixed with antiques.

Photography by Brad Knipstein
サンフランシスコにある広いトランジショナルスタイルのおしゃれなかね折れ階段 (木の蹴込み板、金属の手すり) の写真

サンフランシスコにある広いモダンスタイルのおしゃれな折り返し階段 (木の蹴込み板、ガラスフェンス) の写真

シアトルにある広い北欧スタイルのおしゃれな折り返し階段 (木の蹴込み板、木材の手すり) の写真

他の地域にある低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サーキュラー階段 (木の蹴込み板、混合材の手すり) の写真

The geometry of the stair handrail is a nod to art deco forms; made in black powder coated steel, and capped with a walnut handrail. The stair is flooded with light from a skylight above, illuminating a subtly textured wall covering, that evokes a soft, plaster finish.

サンディエゴにある広い地中海スタイルのおしゃれなサーキュラー階段 (木の蹴込み板、金属の手すり) の写真

Joshua McHugh
ニューヨークにあるラグジュアリーな広いモダンスタイルのおしゃれなスケルトン階段 (木の蹴込み板、ガラスフェンス) の写真

Elegant molding frames the luxurious neutral color palette and textured wall coverings. Across from the expansive quarry stone fireplace, picture windows overlook the adjoining copse. Upstairs, a light-filled gallery crowns the main entry hall. Floor: 5”+7”+9-1/2” random width plank | Vintage French Oak | Rustic Character | Victorian Collection hand scraped | pillowed edge | color Golden Oak | Satin Hardwax Oil. For more information please email us at: sales@signaturehardwoods.com

シカゴにある中くらいなモダンスタイルのおしゃれなかね折れ階段 (木の蹴込み板) の写真

デトロイトにある高級な広いコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれな折り返し階段 (木の蹴込み板、金属の手すり) の写真

Photo by Ryann Ford
オースティンにある北欧スタイルのおしゃれな階段 (木の蹴込み板) の写真

Adrián Gregorutti
サンフランシスコにあるトラディショナルスタイルのおしゃれなかね折れ階段 (木の蹴込み板) の写真

他の地域にあるラスティックスタイルのおしゃれな階段 (木の蹴込み板) の写真

Modern staircase with black metal railing, large windows and black sconces.
ローリーにある高級な中くらいなモダンスタイルのおしゃれなスケルトン階段 (木の蹴込み板、金属の手すり) の写真

White Oak newel post, railing and balusters. Tapered newels and balusters
ポートランドにあるラグジュアリーな中くらいなミッドセンチュリースタイルのおしゃれな折り返し階段 (木の蹴込み板、木材の手すり) の写真

シドニーにあるコンテンポラリースタイルのおしゃれなサーキュラー階段 (木の蹴込み板) の写真

トロント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折り返し階段 (木の蹴込み板、金属の手すり) の写真