Year 2025
Location Arlington, MA
Size 6000 sq ft
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General Contractor GPA General Contracting
Photographer Ben Gebo
Arlington Dutch Colonial
This historic Dutch Colonial home, originally built in 1890, was thoughtfully renovated to balance timeless charm with modern comfort. The transformation focused on converting a sunroom into a versatile four-season living space, seamlessly serving as a playroom and family media room. We also significantly expanded an adjacent bathroom for this family of four.
A soaring new cathedral ceiling enhances the sense of openness, while all-new MEP systems ensure efficiency and comfort. The new bathroom offers a spa-like retreat, blending classic detailing with contemporary luxury. A key design feature is a custom rolling bookshelf, which effortlessly slides to reveal—or conceal—a sleek entertainment center and project TV system, allowing the space to transition from a cozy retreat to an entertainment hub. This renovation celebrates the home’s heritage while embracing flexibility for modern living.
Performance was foundational, not supplemental. The home is wrapped in a robust, carefully detailed envelope designed to endure New England winters while minimizing energy demand year-round. Advanced insulation, low-carbon materials, and precision air-sealing elevate the building beyond code creating comfort that is felt, not just measured. Intelligent systems and efficient mechanical design quietly reinforce this approach, reducing carbon impact while enhancing daily life.
At the same time, materiality tempers modern form with warmth. Clean lines are softened by natural wood textures and generous spans of glass, reinforcing a biophilic sensibility that draws the landscape inward. Garden views are framed with intention, ensuring greenery becomes part of the architecture rather than a backdrop to it. The result feels both progressive and homey; a quiet counterpoint to the city beyond its walls.