Completed: 2019

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Photographer: Josh Janisak

Extensive masonry repairs began with the removal of non-native and spalled brick, rebuilding large sections of the bearing walls where required. New marble headers and sills were inserted at all window and door openings. The front façade was repointed with natural hydraulic lime mortar, tooled to a beveled ridge profile. Deteriorated stucco on the sides of the house was repaired with new NHL stucco and lime painted. New SBS modified bitumen roofing and a custom lead coated copper cornice was installed. The chimney was rebuilt from the ground up, relined with double walled stainless steel chimney pipe, and topped with a sheet metal cap. Existing wood double hung windows were restored. Other improvements include new custom window grates, sidewalk doors, light fixtures, waterjet cut house numbers, electrical service entrance, downspout boxing, gate door, and front door with transom.

Completed: 2026

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Photographer: Josh Janisak

The home was a typical expanded trinity, with three floors of living space containing a Living Room, Den, and Bedroom. A tiny Kitchen and Bathroom are inside a two-story addition to the original structure. The new Kitchen is relocated to the former Living Room, which makes way for a compact Office/Study. The second floor becomes the primary living space, and the third floor is reconfigured to offer additional closet space and a new half bath concealed behind a translucent privacy panel. A worn second-floor greenhouse window will be demolished and replaced with a unique bay window and bench seat. The interior blends historic features with simple and crisp modern interventions. New features include center stringer stairs, solid maple panel doors, mahogany windows, polished nickel hardware, and quarter sawn white oak flooring. The home has fully upgraded infrastructure including new copper/hubless cast iron piping and plumbing fixtures, heating plant, electrical wiring, devices, and service entrance/panel, and LED lighting throughout. Extensive floor joist rot, notching, and cracking compromised the rigidity and stability of the floor framing. The first-floor joists were removed, salvaged, and replaced with open web steel joists to preserve headroom in the basement. Upper level joist damage was repaired with Dutchman infill and plate steel hangers and stabilization plates set on new steel window headers. New wood cross bracing was added and exposed joists were painted white. This was an extensive restoration with no stone left unturned.

Completed: 2023

Location: Princeton, NJ

Builder: Pianka Construction

The residence, originally constructed in 1971 and designed by R. Scofidio, had been unoccupied for several years. To revitalize the property, our firm undertook a comprehensive restoration, which included "selective opening" of the first floor and the addition of a full bath and a third bedroom on the second floor to enhance its value. The front of the home presents a tall, rigid mass when viewed from the street, while our design approach prioritized openness, illumination, and integration with the surrounding environment at the rear of the structure. Entry points were accentuated with natural cedar cladding. The interior design scheme used a tranquil palette, clean and understated detailing, and playful pops of color in private areas to complement the mid-century modern aesthetic.

Completed: 2024

Location: Princeton, NJ

Builder: R. Faucett Construction Inc.

This home was originally constructed in 1953, it was "House #8" of a small development of modest homes clustered around a Lake. The original layout was congested. The serpentine circulation path cut through the living room, small dining room, and galley kitchen. We reorganized all the spaces on the first floor and designed a small but purposeful addition into the backyard to relieve the plan and allow larger living and social spaces that did not double as corridors. Large format glazing at the addition improved views and indoor/outdoor connectivity. The garage was converted into a bedroom suite. The second floor features a new rear-facing shed dormer to enlarge the bathroom and create a laundry closet.