Maple Hill Architects

Residential Projects

Examples of our current work in progress.

Master Bedroom Suite
Wayland, MA

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Existing home

Construction Start: August, 2011 
This Swiedler-built home had an addition that was partially constructed in 1990 around existing 2nd floor rooms but the interior portion of the work was never completed.  The project includes gutting a guest room and master bedroom – all within the confines of the original 800 square foot addition, and finishing a new master bedroom suite plus a guest room. 

Private Residence - Renovation/Addition
Deep Energy Retrofit
Wayland, MA

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Existing barn

This horse barn, built in 1900 and renovated into a home in 1970, is oozing original charm but lacking basic insulation.  The new home buyers want to upgrade the exterior envelope to make it cost effective to heat and cool as well as comfortable – no more drafts and cold feet.  They are also looking forward to an ice-dam free winter this year. 
        The new design will replace all the materials on the outside of the exterior wall including shingles, trim and windows.  3” of rigid insulation and sheathing will be added, while the original aesthetics will be maintained with red cedar shingles and white PVC trim. The project will include super-insulated roof, walls and crawl-space, new windows with south-side shading and a new right-sized mechanical system.  The old shed and porch will be removed and an addition built with mudroom, laundry and work shop.  The interior work will be left for the homeowner to work on over time.  Energy savings of over 70% are expected. 
        The project has been designed to meet requirements of NGRID’s Deep Energy Retrofit program that will allow the owners to receive approximately $42,000 of additional funding from their natural gas utility company, as well as an extra $10,000 if they meet the requirements of the Thousand Home Challenge.      

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Proposed section with new dormers

Private Residence - Renovation/Addition
Deep Energy Retrofit
Lexington, MA

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Existing home
   

A family of three purchased this 2,500 square foot cape-style “starter” home built in 1957.  Even though it is small, for them it is more than a starter – they feel it is just the right size and the perfect location to stay for many years.  For this reason they are willing to invest significantly in upgrades to reduce energy use that many owners of similar homes avoid since they plan to quickly move on from their starter home.  As part of their commitment to the environment they target to reduce their energy use at home by 75%.  They have applied to NGrid as part of the local utility’s Deep Energy Retrofit program and hope to receive $42,000 in incentive funding, as well as an additional $10,000 in incentive funding through the Thousand Home Challenge. 
       The exterior envelope renovation will include adding 4” of rigid insulation to the walls and existing roof, adding closed cell foam insulation to basement walls, replacing windows with triple glazed casements, and downsizing and replacing the heating system.   In addition they are dormering up a portion of the 2nd floor to make space for a second bathroom and closet space as well as to provide more usable headroom in the two bedrooms.  They are adding a mudroom for much needed space to hang their coats and leave shoes but to also create an air lock at the main entry. The entire exterior of the building will be re-clad in materials such as cement siding and PVC trim that will not need any maintenance for years to come.   Boston Green Builders has been selected to construct the project and MHA worked with them throughout the design phase.

Wayland, MA

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Existing home

A family of four, living in this beautiful 5,000 square foot 10-year old home, have natural gas and electricity bills totaling over $9,000 annually.  MHA completed an energy audit and has recommended a number of low or no cost changes to increase energy efficiency and comfort, as well as Tier 2 enhancements such as HVAC system replacement that would require  significant investments but still have good payback.  We analyzed the building envelope and determined the most significant areas of air leakage and lack of insulation and have specified associated upgrades.  We researched every light bulb type in the house to allow upgrades to every fixture to more efficient CFL or LED types.  We project a 30 – 40% energy use reduction from very minimal cost upgrades.   
      We have also reviewed with the family many behavioral changes they can make that do not require any significant additional equipment but can lead to very significant energy reductions: using fans and raising the air conditioning set point, using set-back thermostats, using power strips at entertainment centers to eliminate background loads when equipment is not being used, adding auto-sleep settings to computers, etc.  We coordinated the free energy audit and replacement work that could be completed through MassSave and then bid additional work to contractors and reviewed their work in detail when complete.   

Medfield, MA

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Existing Red Gate Farm

The oldest part of Red Gate Farm was built in 1676 on a mill pond.  Over the years a saw mill, grist mill, barn, shed, and garage were added separately as well as multiple additions to the home.  MHA was asked to complete a master plan of renovations to the "newest" wing which houses the kitchen, laundry, bathroom and mudroom on the first floor and a number of small rooms which will be transformed into the master bedroom suite on the second floor.  Sections were drawn to demonstrate how this old structure could be super-insulated and opened up to add daylighting and a feeling of spaciousness while maintaining its classic character on the exterior. 

Creating a more sustainable world - one project at a time