The Tory Row renovation is a multi-phased project that spanned nearly a decade, but the outcome is spectacular and has breathed new life into the old bones of this family’s home. Phase I infused new life into all the living spaces—kitchen, family rooms, bedrooms and libraries—including new mechanical systems and energy upgrades. All the original feather muntin windows were lovingly restored and counterbalanced so they raise with the touch of a finger.

Phase II centered on the basement build out with the addition of a new basement staircase, a new home theater and children’s play spaces, and new laundry and pantry facilities.

Historical note: Brattle Street is referred to as “Tory Row” by local historians, referencing the Tory loyalists who lived on Brattle Street. At the time of the American Revolutionary War, many Loyalists had large homes on this street. This home, the William Brattle House, is one of seven historic Colonial mansions in the area from the 18th century, sitting alongside the Longfellow House–Washingtons Headquarters National Historic Site (105 Brattle Street).

Samuel Atkins Eliot, a writer in the 1900’s, called the area; one of the most beautiful and historic streets in America.

DGS Architecture I Builder: Adams + Beasley Associates I Photography: Nat Rea

The Wayland renovation is a case study for transforming the ubiquitous post-war cape into a contemporary residence.  The exterior scale and massing reference the cape style, while the open floor plan, material selections and finish details speak to a contemporary sensibility.  Color, light and texture are the key selection criteria for all materials used throughout the project.     DGS Architecture provided complete architectural services, starting with schematic design and concluding with construction administration.  The project was completed in December 2015.

DGS Architecture | Images by Renee Cameron Photography

A recently retired couple wanted to renovate the family’s south shore summer cottage to achieve a low-maintenance, year-round, casual retreat. The main design goal was to expand the tiny cottage with a new addition that would pair seamlessly with the existing structure. The Client wanted the addition to look as though it had developed over 3 generations of ownership, while including all the amenities required for retirement. The new design references the scale, proportion and detailing of the original cottage. The home is connected to the outdoors by a generous deck, which allows for glimpses of the nearby pond. An extended entry joins the new garage to the cottage’s main living areas. All the new structures utilize simple, gabled forms. Many elements of the design--such as the weathered cedar shingles and organically-placed entry path fieldstones--blend with the natural wooded surroundings. The long, winding entry road elicits a strong sense of serenity, relaxation and distance from the grind of daily life. 

Designed with Vanecko Ltd. | Images by Renee Cameron Photography

The owner of this 1890's ocean-front home requested that the existing interior spaces be reimagined to reflect her eclectic design sensibility.  The project was a full-blown rehab from the interior floor plan to the exterior shell. The modern, open design facilitates the circulation between the entry and daily living spaces. The plan relocated the primary living spaces to the home’s ocean side, allowing the owner to interact with the waterfront views on a daily basis. The renovated exterior shell boasts all new energy efficient windows, insulation and period trim details. The interior, custom millwork evokes the home’s original grandeur. Within each room, refined, tactile finishes create a backdrop for the homeowner’s art collection. Once a dark warren of interior facing rooms, the home is now full of light, offering rich architectural textures and commanding ocean views in all directions.

DGS Architecture | Images by Renee Cameron Photography

In Latin a cella natatorium describes a swimming pool housed in its own structure. This New England natatorium does house a swimming pool; yet, it expands upon the definition to include luxury amenities such as a six-person hot tub, a curving water slide, an "endless pool" swimming machine and a catering kitchen. The main swimming hall is defined by curved, wood beams, on top of which rests a light-filled clerestory. The sun streams into the swimming hall during the morning hours and at night, the illuminated waterfalls create a festive atmosphere. The orangerie links the main house to the natatorium by a series of french doors, which open on to a grassy courtyard used as outdoor gathering space during the summer months. The swimming hall walls are finished with hand-applied, authentic Italian marble stucco which adds to the character of the natatorium experience. The mechanical room below the pool deck contains the required pumps, pipes, boilers and dehumidification equipment necessary to maintain this tropical environment in the New England climate.

Designed with Vanecko Ltd. | Images by Renee Cameron Photography

Historic New England homes and communities can be difficult places for our aging family and friends to navigate on a daily basis.  Steep stairs, uneven walking surfaces and cramped living spaces can be a challenge to inhabit; yet, with adequate foresight and planning, one should be able to “age-in-place” comfortably without sacrificing a sense of gracious living.

The Newburyport renovation is a textbook example of how to identify and renovate an historic home for aging-in-place.  First, the owner selected a home that was in 20-minute walking proximity to all basic, daily services—the grocery store, the pharmacy, YWCA, downtown restaurants, commuter rail station.  The renovations focused on designing a first floor layout which accommodates all living functions on a single level—cooking, sleeping and bathing.  The kitchen has ample space to maneuver a walker and the shower is curbless for roll-in access.  A portion of the second floor is designed as an efficiency apartment for future live-in caregivers.  The exterior living spaces are sun-filled and compact for ease of maintenance.  The homeowner invested in creating an energy efficient exterior envelope with new double-glazed windows and blown-in foam insulation in the existing wall cavities.  The mechanical and electrical systems are completely new, which will require minimal maintenance in the coming years.

DGS Architecture | Images by Renee Cameron Photography