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Project posted by Wolf Architects, Inc.

Historic Modern Expansion

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Location
Weston, Massachusetts
Structure
House (Single Residence)
Style
Modern
The south elevation of the original house overlooks a koi pond and the wooded landscape. The new addition continues its massing, but uses clear-finished siding milled from reclaimed lumber to contrast with the smooth, painted finish of the historic house.
The south elevation of the original house overlooks a koi pond and the wooded landscape. The new addition continues its massing, but uses clear-finished siding milled from reclaimed lumber to contrast with the smooth, painted finish of the historic house.
Both the existing architecture and the new addition feature extensive glazing and corner windows.
Both the existing architecture and the new addition feature extensive glazing and corner windows.
Reclaimed wood siding of “sinker cypress” and “pickle-tank fir” creates a connection to the forested setting. A deck with stainless steel rods connects the front of house to the back yard.
Reclaimed wood siding of “sinker cypress” and “pickle-tank fir” creates a connection to the forested setting. A deck with stainless steel rods connects the front of house to the back yard.
The addition follows the stepped massing of the historic house and provides the family a new mudroom entrance at the level of the driveway.
The addition follows the stepped massing of the historic house and provides the family a new mudroom entrance at the level of the driveway.
New canopy, lighting and entrance door into the house, originally designed in 1939 by Edwin B. Goodell Jr.
New canopy, lighting and entrance door into the house, originally designed in 1939 by Edwin B. Goodell Jr.
A view into the preserved, original entrance hall with its stair tower.
A view into the preserved, original entrance hall with its stair tower.
Interior living spaces of the historic house open to each other and the landscape beyond.
Interior living spaces of the historic house open to each other and the landscape beyond.
Maple veneer ApplePly tops this bench in the new mudroom, which provides boot and shoe storage/drainage, while other cabinets conceal a variety of storage spaces.
Maple veneer ApplePly tops this bench in the new mudroom, which provides boot and shoe storage/drainage, while other cabinets conceal a variety of storage spaces.
A view past the newly opened stair in the existing kitchen to the new family room.
A view past the newly opened stair in the existing kitchen to the new family room.
Fireplace wall is a single slab of marble with coloration and veining that allude to tree branches in winter.
Fireplace wall is a single slab of marble with coloration and veining that allude to tree branches in winter.
Custom ApplePly cabinetry with exposed laminate edges using maple and walnut veneer.
Custom ApplePly cabinetry with exposed laminate edges using maple and walnut veneer.
Built-in window seat with view to the wooded site.
Built-in window seat with view to the wooded site.

From Wolf Architects, Inc.

This project expands and renovates a now-historic International Style residence that was one of greater Boston’s earlier modern homes. The existing building is significant because of its 1939 design by architect Edwin B. Goodell, Jr. and its location in a designated historic neighborhood. The addition was reviewed and approved by the local historical commission.

The new addition respectfully and creatively responds to the 75-year-old modern house and its beautiful but difficult site—a rocky hillside that rises from front to back while dropping dramatically on one side. The new wing complements the existing building’s form by repeating its stepped massing, continuing its roof lines, and using windows that reflect the proportion and pattern of the originals. At the same time, the addition contrasts the main house by introducing a cladding of clear-finished boards milled from reclaimed lumber.

The owners’ decision to preserve this early modern house and to adapt and enhance it for continued occupancy illustrates their commitment to sustainability. Additional sustainable features of the design include its reclaimed lumber siding, its high performance windows, improved insulation, and the introduction of photovoltaic panels. These panels are detailed to relate to the horizontal metal drip edges of the flat roof, so that street-facing panels align with the house’s trim.

Inside the addition are built-in cabinetry and expansive glazing that extend and enhance the qualities of the original house. The main living floor is elevated one level above the street-facing ground floor, and opens to beautiful, expansive views of the site. Custom cabinets and window seats of ApplePly allow the laminated layers to show. Their walnut and maple veneers establish a material connection to the forested setting, while the intricate veining and coloration of the marble fireplace wall provide a visual equivalent to the branches of the surrounding trees.

This addition’s new mudroom, playroom, family room, child’s bedroom, and laundry-room relocation all allow the growing family to continue to enjoy living in an important historic modern home.