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

Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: параллельная кухня-гостиная среднего размера в стиле неоклассика (современная классика) с двумя и более островами, врезной мойкой, плоскими фасадами, мраморной столешницей, техникой из нержавеющей стали, паркетным полом среднего тона и фасадами цвета дерева среднего тона

Свежая идея для дизайна: кухня в классическом стиле с техникой из нержавеющей стали, мраморной столешницей, обеденным столом, белыми фасадами, серым фартуком, фартуком из каменной плитки, врезной мойкой, фасадами с утопленной филенкой, темным паркетным полом, белой столешницей и барной стойкой - отличное фото интерьера

На фото: параллельная кухня в современном стиле с обеденным столом, врезной мойкой, стеклянными фасадами, черными фасадами, черным фартуком, фартуком из плитки мозаики, техникой из нержавеющей стали, светлым паркетным полом, островом, бежевым полом и белой столешницей с

На фото: большая параллельная кухня в современном стиле с обеденным столом, врезной мойкой, плоскими фасадами, фасадами цвета дерева среднего тона, мраморной столешницей, белым фартуком, фартуком из каменной плиты, островом, бежевым полом, белой столешницей, техникой под мебельный фасад и двухцветным гарнитуром

© Bertrand Fompeyrine La cuisine a entièrement été faite sur mesure. Les façades de la cuisine sont laquées en cabine.
Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: угловая кухня в современном стиле с обеденным столом, врезной мойкой, плоскими фасадами, бежевыми фасадами, белым фартуком, паркетным полом среднего тона, коричневым полом, белой столешницей, красивой плиткой и мойкой у окна без острова

Bench top fabricated using Trethewey Stones exclusive Purestone stone range, colour 'Oriental Bay' mitred to 60mm
Стильный дизайн: параллельная кухня в современном стиле с столешницей из кварцевого агломерата, островом, врезной мойкой, плоскими фасадами, белыми фасадами, серым фартуком, техникой из нержавеющей стали, паркетным полом среднего тона, коричневым полом и серой столешницей - последний тренд

This beautiful Spanish/Mediterranean Modern kitchen features UltraCraft's Stickley door style in Rustic Alder with Natural finish and Lakeway door style in Maple with Blue Ash paint. A celebration of natural light and green plants, this kitchen has a warm feel that shouldn't be missed!

Идея дизайна: кухня в стиле модернизм с врезной мойкой, плоскими фасадами, мраморной столешницей, техникой под мебельный фасад, бетонным полом и серым полом без острова

James Ray Spahn
Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: угловая кухня среднего размера в стиле неоклассика (современная классика) с обеденным столом, врезной мойкой, стеклянными фасадами, белыми фасадами, мраморной столешницей, белым фартуком, фартуком из каменной плиты, техникой из нержавеющей стали, светлым паркетным полом и островом

©Scott Hargis Photo
На фото: параллельная кухня в классическом стиле с обеденным столом, врезной мойкой, фасадами в стиле шейкер, зелеными фасадами, деревянной столешницей, белым фартуком, фартуком из плитки кабанчик, техникой из нержавеющей стали, темным паркетным полом и островом

Nick Springett Photography
Свежая идея для дизайна: большая угловая кухня-гостиная в современном стиле с врезной мойкой, плоскими фасадами, техникой из нержавеющей стали, островом, серыми фасадами, столешницей из кварцевого агломерата, белым фартуком, фартуком из мрамора, полом из керамогранита и бежевым полом - отличное фото интерьера

Felipe Tozzato, Phillip Banks Construction
На фото: параллельная кухня в современном стиле с врезной мойкой, плоскими фасадами, белыми фасадами, техникой из нержавеющей стали, мраморной столешницей, белым фартуком и полом из керамической плитки без острова

Bruce Buck
Источник вдохновения для домашнего уюта: угловая кухня в классическом стиле с обеденным столом, врезной мойкой, фасадами с выступающей филенкой, белыми фасадами, гранитной столешницей, разноцветным фартуком, техникой из нержавеющей стали, паркетным полом среднего тона и островом

Beginning this full home remodel in the kitchen, we added a cozy banquette, built-in custom cabinets, and a PentalQuartz Super White countertop for a contemporary vibe. The kitchen’s central feature is an inset bar in rich macassar ebony and Flavor Paper’s Monaco gold foil wallpaper that was formerly a fireplace.

Стильный дизайн: маленькая, узкая отдельная, параллельная, светлая кухня в стиле неоклассика (современная классика) с врезной мойкой, плоскими фасадами, белыми фасадами, белым фартуком, техникой из нержавеющей стали и темным паркетным полом без острова для на участке и в саду - последний тренд

The gray on gray palette creates a soothing dining and kitchen area that is still fresh and modern. Photography by Josh Vick
На фото: угловая кухня среднего размера в классическом стиле с обеденным столом, врезной мойкой, фасадами с декоративным кантом, серыми фасадами, мраморной столешницей, белым фартуком, фартуком из керамической плитки, техникой из нержавеющей стали, темным паркетным полом и коричневым полом с

Работа над этим проектом имела свои уникальные особенности, связанные с пожеланиями заказчика и исходными данными квартиры. Необходимо было сделать две отдельные жилые комнаты и кухню-столовую. В квартире только 3 окна, расположенные в одной стене, это и определило размещение и габариты комнат, в каждой из которых должно быть окно. Холл и санузлы находятся у противоположной стены. Таким образом планировка, которую мы предложили практически не отличается от исходной.

ZeroEnergy Design (ZED) created this modern home for a progressive family in the desirable community of Lexington. Thoughtful Land Connection. The residence is carefully sited on the infill lot so as to create privacy from the road and neighbors, while cultivating a side yard that captures the southern sun. The terraced grade rises to meet the house, allowing for it to maintain a structured connection with the ground while also sitting above the high water table. The elevated outdoor living space maintains a strong connection with the indoor living space, while the stepped edge ties it back to the true ground plane. Siting and outdoor connections were completed by ZED in collaboration with landscape designer Soren Deniord Design Studio. Exterior Finishes and Solar. The exterior finish materials include a palette of shiplapped wood siding, through-colored fiber cement panels and stucco. A rooftop parapet hides the solar panels above, while a gutter and site drainage system directs rainwater into an irrigation cistern and dry wells that recharge the groundwater. Cooking, Dining, Living. Inside, the kitchen, fabricated by Henrybuilt, is located between the indoor and outdoor dining areas. The expansive south-facing sliding door opens to seamlessly connect the spaces, using a retractable awning to provide shade during the summer while still admitting the warming winter sun. The indoor living space continues from the dining areas across to the sunken living area, with a view that returns again to the outside through the corner wall of glass. Accessible Guest Suite. The design of the first level guest suite provides for both aging in place and guests who regularly visit for extended stays. The patio off the north side of the house affords guests their own private outdoor space, and privacy from the neighbor. Similarly, the second level master suite opens to an outdoor private roof deck. Light and Access. The wide open interior stair with a glass panel rail leads from the top level down to the well insulated basement. The design of the basement, used as an away/play space, addresses the need for both natural light and easy access. In addition to the open stairwell, light is admitted to the north side of the area with a high performance, Passive House (PHI) certified skylight, covering a six by sixteen foot area. On the south side, a unique roof hatch set flush with the deck opens to reveal a glass door at the base of the stairwell which provides additional light and access from the deck above down to the play space. Energy. Energy consumption is reduced by the high performance building envelope, high efficiency mechanical systems, and then offset with renewable energy. All windows and doors are made of high performance triple paned glass with thermally broken aluminum frames. The exterior wall assembly employs dense pack cellulose in the stud cavity, a continuous air barrier, and four inches exterior rigid foam insulation. The 10kW rooftop solar electric system provides clean energy production. The final air leakage testing yielded 0.6 ACH 50 - an extremely air tight house, a testament to the well-designed details, progress testing and quality construction. When compared to a new house built to code requirements, this home consumes only 19% of the energy. Architecture & Energy Consulting: ZeroEnergy Design Landscape Design: Soren Deniord Design Paintings: Bernd Haussmann Studio Photos: Eric Roth Photography