Blog

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to work on one of Onset's most significant Victorian structures at 167 Onset Ave.  The majority of the project involved work that was not very glamorous--a new fire alarm system, a new sprinkler system and a new 5 stop elevator, to address life safety and accessibility requirements; however in the process we created a new food & beverage venue, the 1883 Lounge where …

I recently attended the book launch event for John K. Bullard's memoir, Hometown at the New Bedford Whaling Museum. During his remarks, Mr. Bullard read an excerpt from his book about the disastrous gas explosion that destroyed several buildings in our historic district during the brutal winter of 1977.   He described the damage done to the Selmar Eggers Building at 10 William Street - a building that once stood on …

Spring is a busy time of year for design and construction with many projects underway.  This is a sampling of some ongoing projects in various stages throughout the South Coast (and beyond). This summer cottage in Onset has been with us for many years.  The homeowners bought the property at least 15 years ago when we created a master plan with phased renovations and additions.  This current construction project represents …

When Harry and Errin contacted me, they were excited about the possibilities their new home purchase in Marion offered.  They wanted to know if their ideas would work and how to make the most of the existing spaces.  At first glance, the interior of the house is awash in sunlight, streaming down from an open 3 story atrium that included the staircase.  Look again and what you saw was a …

One of our recent projects was profiled in the South Coast Almanac. Here we take a look at the nitty gritty details of how a stable can evolve into an ugly home, and eventually transform into a coastal retreat. Humble Beginnings Homes in New England tend to evolve over time and this one was no exception. This home started its life as a stable. Updates began in 1915 when …

Selecting an architect is important to the outcome of your project. We recommend talking to several architects before you make a final selection. The selection process does not have to be very complicated–talk to colleagues, business partners, friends or family who have worked with architects in your geographic area or your specific industry. You are looking for at least three architects to determine who is the most qualified and/or the …

Building projects are defined by a variety of different regulations, some of which are changing. One such example is the mapping updates completed by FEMA for flood zones in Plymouth County. While some property owners may have already been contacted by their financial institution requiring them to purchase flood insurance, others may also be looking at new restrictions on construction within their flood zone. Going into a project, it is …

A contingency is a dollar amount built into your budget to cover unexpected costs during the design and construction process and it is typically expressed as a percentage of your total construction cost.   While much work is done in advance to learn the facts about your project, the property, and the parameters by which your project can be designed and constructed, sometimes there are unexpected or unforeseen conditions that …

The utility company is notified, the demolition equipment and crew arrives, and within a day or two a building is transformed into a pile of debris and rubble, unrecognizable as the structure that was once occupied as a school, a store, or a home. The decision to demolish a structure should be made after careful consideration of the variables that exist for each particular project. If, after such consideration, you …

Many stories exist about contentious relationships between architects & builders. As stories, they can be extreme and would lead you to believe that all architects & builders behave in this manner or that if you work with one or the other you will end up in a contentious relationship. This story is about how to avoid such contention. Your project should benefit from working with both an architect & builder. …