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

Location: Bethesda, MD, USA This luxurious and elegant house is part of a larger renovation/addition we built in Bethesda, MD. a lot of custom work was performed on this project to meet the client's needs. Finecraft Contractors, Inc.

A truly functioning home office is indispensable for those who work from home. A place that offers functionality, comfort and helps in the performance of work and daily activities is essential for anyone who wants to have a good productivity in the profession. Adapte Design has amazing proposals for you. Project: lawyer's home office.

Beautiful and bespoke, Accoya wood was selected for the decking of a terrace with a pool and sauna at this private residence. Accoya was chosen for the project due to its natural beauty, durability and high performance in all weather conditions. Carpenters and Carpenter Ole Larsen and sons via Davidsen Odense.

The owners of this home came to us with a plan to build a new high-performance home that physically and aesthetically fit on an infill lot in an old well-established neighborhood in Bellingham. The Craftsman exterior detailing, Scandinavian exterior color palette, and timber details help it blend into the older neighborhood. At the same time the clean modern interior allowed their artistic details and displayed artwork take center stage. We started working with the owners and the design team in the later stages of design, sharing our expertise with high-performance building strategies, custom timber details, and construction cost planning. Our team then seamlessly rolled into the construction phase of the project, working with the owners and Michelle, the interior designer until the home was complete. The owners can hardly believe the way it all came together to create a bright, comfortable, and friendly space that highlights their applied details and favorite pieces of art. Photography by Radley Muller Photography​ Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services Interior Design by Spiral Studios​

The owners of this home came to us with a plan to build a new high-performance home that physically and aesthetically fit on an infill lot in an old well-established neighborhood in Bellingham. The Craftsman exterior detailing, Scandinavian exterior color palette, and timber details help it blend into the older neighborhood. At the same time the clean modern interior allowed their artistic details and displayed artwork take center stage. We started working with the owners and the design team in the later stages of design, sharing our expertise with high-performance building strategies, custom timber details, and construction cost planning. Our team then seamlessly rolled into the construction phase of the project, working with the owners and Michelle, the interior designer until the home was complete. The owners can hardly believe the way it all came together to create a bright, comfortable, and friendly space that highlights their applied details and favorite pieces of art. Photography by Radley Muller Photography​ Design by Deborah Todd Building Design Services Interior Design by Spiral Studios​

Location: Bethesda, MD, USA This luxurious and elegant house is part of a larger renovation/addition we built in Bethesda, MD. a lot of custom work was performed on this project to meet the client's needs. Finecraft Contractors, Inc.

Small media room. Video projector with 110" projection screen, in-wall speakers, dimmable LED lighting, custom home theatre seating with theatre riser. Photo's by FYM Photography

Work performed as Project Manager at Landry Design Group, Photography by Erhard Pfeiffer.
Example of a mid-sized trendy open concept living room design in Tampa with a corner fireplace and a stone fireplace

Presenting the first Carbon Neutral collection by Silestone®. A commitment to sustainability in which we reduce and offset the emissions of the manufacturing process with reforestation projects. Sunlit Days is inspired by the evocative Mediterranean shades of a unique lifestyle.

A truly functioning home office is indispensable for those who work from home. A place that offers functionality, comfort and helps in the performance of work and daily activities is essential for anyone who wants to have a good productivity in the profession. Adapte Design has amazing proposals for you. Project: lawyer's home office.

Beautiful kitchen with gas range and oven. Exposed brick work surrounding kitchen adds the "old world" feel to this kitchen. Cabinetry by Thomas Design Group. Masonry was performed by Chuck Barker. Intents Construction general contractor on project. Photo Credits: Intents Construction LLC

Historic, 1940's house kitchen and den renovation featuring: - two tone counter tops - glass back splash, - custom painted wood cabinetry - antique heart pine wood floors - SS appliances Project performed in 6 weeks time, on budget and desired timeline. For free estimate call or click 504-322-7050 or www.mlm-inc.com

This project was a full-house remodel. The home was originally built in 1960's as an Eichler-style home with older wood paneling throughout the home. We removed the wood paneling, replaced the flooring with new wood flooring, removed a few walls to create an open-kitchen concept, and fully remodeled two bathrooms. We selected all the materials with the clients, including on-site visits with our clients for furniture and window treatment selections, as well as performed a few architectural upgrades.

Example of a mid-sized open concept dark wood floor living room design in San Francisco with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Inspiration for a large open concept dark wood floor living room remodel in San Francisco with gray walls and a wall-mounted tv

Monte Mar Vista / Complete Bathroom Remodel Within this Bathroom Remodeling Project, to begin, we performed the demolition on the previous Bathroom. We then performed the installation of the Shower and Floor Tiles. This then was followed by the installation of the lighting Sconces, Vanity and Mirrored Medicine Cabinet and followed by a fresh Paint to finish.

Greater Toronto's Specialized General Contractor & Design Build Firm When you work with PDBI, you benefit from our expertise in architectural design, assistance obtaining municipal approvals, full construction services, and building maintenance...all in one place! We specialize in a full range of services, but large or small, each project receives our full attention and care to produce quality results. Our Design-Build approach simplifies the project process for our clients, who need deal with only one representative from the beginning to end, rather than with multiple designers, contractors and trades. We have perform joint-venture liaisons on larger projects when necessary.

Beautiful and bespoke, Accoya wood was selected for the decking of a terrace with a pool and sauna at this private residence. Accoya was chosen for the project due to its natural beauty, durability and high performance in all weather conditions. Carpenters and Carpenter Ole Larsen and sons via Davidsen Odense.