Example of a country concrete patio design in San Francisco with a roof extension

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

Closet Door Detail, Contemporary Bedroom Photo by Casey Dunn
Inspiration for a large contemporary medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Austin with white walls

Kip Dawkins Photography
Transitional master white tile and stone tile marble floor freestanding bathtub photo in DC Metro

Example of a beach style medium tone wood floor and brown floor dining room design with white walls

Tricia Shay Photography
Large trendy courtyard concrete patio photo in Milwaukee with no cover

Robert Canfield Photography
Inspiration for a rustic galley kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and no island

Interior design by SOCO Interiors. Photography by Giovanni. Built by Stock Development.
Example of a classic gray tile double shower design in Miami

Dane Gregory Meyer Photography
Arts and crafts bathroom photo in Seattle with an undermount sink

This home was built in 1904 in the historic district of Ladd’s Addition, Portland’s oldest planned residential development. Right Arm Construction remodeled the kitchen, entryway/pantry, powder bath and main bath. Also included was structural work in the basement and upgrading the plumbing and electrical. Finishes include: Countertops for all vanities- Pental Quartz, Color: Altea Kitchen cabinetry: Custom: inlay, shaker style. Trim: CVG Fir Custom shelving in Kitchen-Fir with custom fabricated steel brackets Bath Vanities: Custom: CVG Fir Tile: United Tile Powder Bath Floor: hex tile from Oregon Tile & Marble Light Fixtures for Kitchen & Powder Room: Rejuvenation Light Fixtures Bathroom: Schoolhouse Electric Flooring: White Oak

Mid-sized transitional master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile and beige floor freestanding bathtub photo in Minneapolis with white cabinets, green walls, an integrated sink, a one-piece toilet, marble countertops and recessed-panel cabinets

Master Bathroom Addition with custom double vanity. White herringbone tile with white wall subway tile. white pebble shower floor tile. Walnut rounded vanity mirrors. Brizo Fixtures. Cabinet hardware by School House Electric. Photo Credit: Amy Bartlam

Secondary bathroom 2
Small elegant white tile and ceramic tile porcelain tile alcove bathtub photo in Atlanta with an undermount sink, furniture-like cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

kyle caldwell
Example of a farmhouse medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Boston with an island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and gray countertops

Angle Eye Photography
Large elegant open concept brick floor and brown floor family room photo in Philadelphia with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a wood fireplace surround and a media wall

Large country slate floor and multicolored floor sunroom photo in New York with no fireplace and a glass ceiling

Jessica Glynn Photography
Example of a beach style master multicolored floor bathroom design in Miami with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls, marble countertops and multicolored countertops

2016 EM NARI CotY GOLD Award for Residential Addition Warren Patterson Photography
Transitional dining room photo in Boston