PRELUDE Volume VIII

Volume VIII
A publication of Boston Design Guide
CUSTOM
HOME
BUILDER
ISSUE

Lofty dreams?
Let’s build them.

Trent Bell Photography / Hacin & Associates

www.m-d-l-a.com | 203.592.4788 | Boston

Photography - Clockwise From Top Left:
Sean Litchfield, Greg Premru, Greg Premru, Sean Litchfield.
CAMBRIDGE | CAPE & ISLANDS
617 621-1455
www.LDa-Architects.com

Timeless. Beautiful. You.
acamporainteriors.com +1 (781) 361-7082 hello@acamporainteriors.com
Photo by Joyelle West.

GREAT PLANS DESERVE GREAT PLANTS.
LANCASTER MASSACHUSETTS
select
horticulture
inc.
GREENWICH CONNECTICUT
SELECTHORTICULTURE.COM

Exquisite craftsmanship.
It’s what we do.
Custom Homes | Additions + Renovations | Custom Cabinetry
| PLATTBUILDERS.COM | 978.272.9963
Sage Conti Design, Greg Premru Photography

From the Publisher
I don’t know about you, but everywhere I look, there is construction going on: new
high rises popping up on the ever-changing Seaport landscape, suburban streets
lined with construction vehicles, homes dotted with dumpsters and porta-potties….
it seems that everyone is doing something to optimize their living space.
Many people are working from home and homeschooling, therefore rethinking their
home’s functionality. Even beyond function, we are all searching for the comforts
and refuge a home can provide, especially during this uncertain time in the world.
We dedicate this issue of PRELUDE to the custom builders who are ready to assist
in any of your construction needs…but you’d better call them now, as many are
booking into 2023.
CONTENTS
Melanie Perillo, Publisher
@BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignGuide @BostonDesignMag
10 Old World Craftsmanship
Keeping to the time-honored tradition of hand craftsmanship.
20 Just Right
A love letter to Adirondack style and artisanal craftsmanship in a summer
house on Lake Winnipesaukee.
28 Custom Refrigeration for the Modern Home
Why the RootCellar Concepts refrigerated pantry just makes sense.
34 Clean Lines
A mid-century modern inspired home for the multi-generational family.
38 Earth Day Every Day
Mark Doughty of Thoughtforms Corp. walks the talk with his own home.
40 Safe Haven
TSP keeps the owners lakefront vacation property save and secure.
44 Family Oasis
A couple’s dream retreat fit for multiple generations is realized.
54 Mountainside Escape
An all-season retreat at South Peak Resort for builder’s own family.
59 A Passive State of Mind
Demystifying the benefits of passive home building.
Cover: Architect: Andreozzi Architecture; Builder: Parker Construction; Landscape Architect: Mather & Page
Landscape Architects; Landscape Construction: Landscape Creations; Photography: Michael J. Lee
PUBLISHER
Melanie Perillo
CONTRIBUTING WRITERS
Alyssa Bird
Kate Ellis
Marni Elyse Katz
Katie Mientka
DESIGN DIRECTOR
Rob Silsby
WEB/SOCIAL MEDIA MANAGER
Anna Mallard
SALES/DISTRIBUTION MANAGER
Ian Kaplan
ACCOUNT MANAGERS
Lisa Almquist
Ian Kaplan
Colleen Keelan
Maureen Lampert
PHOTOGRAPHY
Evelyn Dow Lynne Damianos
Jessica Delaney Michael J. Lee
Warren Patterson Greg Premru
Nat Rea
www.bostondesignguide.com
BDG PRELUDE - Volume VIII, 2022, prints biannually and is
published by Boston Design Guide, Inc. 365 Boston Post Road, Box
373, Sudbury, MA 01776. Boston Design Guide (“BDG”) provides
information on luxury homes and lifestyles. Boston Design Guide,
its affiliates, employees, contributors, writers, editors, (Publisher)
accepts no responsibility for inaccuracies, errors or omissions
with information and/or advertisements contained herein. The
publisher has neither investigated nor endorsed the companies
and/or products that advertise within the publication or that are
mentioned editorially. Publisher assumes no responsibility for the
claims made by the Advertisers or the merits of their respective
products or services advertised or mentioned editorially herein,
and neither expressly nor implicitly endorses such Advertiser
products, services or claims. Publisher expressly assumes no
liability for any damages whatsoever that may be suffered by
any purchaser or user for any products or services advertised or
mentioned editorially herein and strongly recommends that any
purchaser or user investigate such products, services, methods
and/or claims made thereto. Opinions expressed in the magazine
and/or its advertisements do not necessarily reflect the opinions
of the Publisher. Neither the Publisher nor its staff, associates or
affiliates are responsible for any errors, omissions or information
whatsoever that have been misrepresented to Publisher. The
information on products and services as advertised in BDG
PRELUDE are shown by Publisher on an “as is” and “as available”
basis. Publisher makes no representations or warranties of any
kind, expressed or implied, as to the information, services,
contents, trademarks, patents, materials or products included
in this magazine. All pictures reproduced in BDG PRELUDE
have been accepted by Publisher on the condition that such
pictures are reproduced with the knowledge and prior consent
of the photographer and any homeowner concerned. As such,
Publisher is not responsible for any infringement of the copyright
or otherwise arising out of any publication in BDG PRELUDE.
BDG PRELUDE is a pending licensed trademark of Boston
Design Guide, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication
may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any
information storage and retrieval system, without the express
written permission of the Publisher. ADDRESS SUBSCRIPTION
REQUESTS AND CORRESPONDENCE TO: Boston Design
Guide, 365 Boston Post Road, Box 373, Sudbury, MA 01776.
Email: Info@BostonDesignGuide.com or telephone 978-443-9886.
8
bostondesignguide.com

design: Maryann Thompson Architects
bannon
Imagine a home, build a legacy
www.bannonbuilds.com | 508-833-0050

Photography: Warren Patterson
Photo: Read McKendree
The team at Kevin Cradock Builders crafts all the custom cabinetry and millwork for each project in its Boston workshop. Eric
Swanson (top right), the millwork manager, has been in the industry for more than 40 years and ensures top quality on every
job. A bathroom vanity for a recent project features intricate, hand-carved panels. Owen Russell (bottom left), the shop foreman,
perfecting the vanity panels in the shop prior to installation.
10
bostondesignguide.com

Craftsmanship
Old World
In an age of mass-production, Kevin Cradock
Builders keeps to the time-honored tradition
of hand craftsmanship
By Alyssa Bird
Founded in 1996, Boston-based Kevin Cradock Builders evolved from a
finish carpentry business to a high-end, full-service construction company.
Now, a team of 35 skilled carpenters, woodworkers, and project managers
work on both renovations and new construction, building luxury residences
in collaboration with architects and interior designers for discerning
homeowners. “We craft the wood elements in a home – like cabinetry
and millwork – in our own shop,” explains president and founder Kevin
Cradock, who was first introduced to carpentry as a teen and later
took on an apprenticeship that got him hooked. “As a team, we
are passionate about woodworking and architecture of any style,
whether it’s super modern, traditional or historic,” says Cradock.
“About 90 percent of our commissions are renovations, which
require much more critical thinking and problem-solving than
new construction. With a renovation or restoration, you have to
channel the working methods of the original builders of the
home if you want the final product to look cohesive.”
The ethos at KCB is maintaining a high standard of
quality and creating a positive experience for everyone
involved. “Relationships are important to me. I value the
interactions with clients, architects, and interior designers
as well as the team here,” Cradock says. Their projects
will sometimes extend beyond Boston for longtime
clients building vacation properties. “The variety of
work makes it fun, and my passion for what we do
keeps me engaged. The beauty we create as a team
inspires me every day.”
bostondesignguide.com 11

A FAMILY TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE AND INTEGRITY SINCE 1979
104B Lily Pond Rd. • Gilford, NH 03249 • 603-524-3128 • www.woodandclay.com

A NEW
SHOWROOM EXPERIENCE
Photography: Daniel Nystedt
Owners: Alexa and Angel Centeno
Imagine your dream home elevated to a level of luxury and
convenience you never thought possible.
A mood for every room; lights that can dim down to the
luminescence of candlelight, fireplace flames that flicker
on with a spoken word, beautifully concealed televisions
appearing at your command, programmable window
shades, and lighting that responds to the movement of the
sun. These are just a small handful of the features that SDI
can seamlessly integrate into your home.
The result is more than a dream home, it’s a lifestyle.
Come see for yourself what takes the world’s most luxurious
homes to the next level at our new showroom, now open
by appointment in Needham, MA. Explore the best of the
best in home technology solutions on the market. The
dedicated team at SDI will show you what’s possible in
automation, efficiency and design, including responsive
Lutron lighting control systems, the best quality audio and
visual systems for the whole house, state-of-the-art security
and surveillance, and Savant control systems that can help
everyone in the family feel comfortable and secure.
Fine design goes beyond what the eye can see. The
products and services offered through SDI provide
ambiance, convenience and peace of mind, all wrapped in
spectacular design.
Begin your experience at www.sdiboston.com.
bostondesignguide.com 13

BOSTON - CAPE COD | 781.934.9100 | WWW.ARCHWRIGHT.COM
Photography: Greg Premru Photography

Builder: Whitla Brothers Builders, Inc.
Photographer: Rachel Baca, Remark Visions
Located in Westwood, MA.
35 Bryant Street
Dedham Square, MA 02026
781-326-5400
mckayarchitects.net

BENCHMARK
BUILDERS, INC.
Craftsmanship | Integrity | Execution | Service
benchmark-builds.com | Concord, MA | 978-254-5595

Photographer: Jim Mauchly
Builder: Wild Apple Homes
SV Design

Client Testimonial
Yankee Barn
Classic
“Yankee Barn Homes engineered, built, and on-site erected the
most important part of our home, the tightly enclosed shell
package. Despite it being the most complex stage, it was also the
most seamless experience of the entire build due to the skill and
responsiveness of the YBH sales, shop and on-site build crew.
Design Manager, Kerri Post, understood the budget from the
design we created and worked out the final costs and contract
with ease. Project Manager, Matt Stavropoulos, provided regular
photo updates and answers to setup questions. Onlookers and
local contractors were in awe of the transformation at the site,
and I was sad to see the YBH Build Crew go.”
– Pietrina Analetto
info@yankeebarnhomes.com | 603-288-1574
www.yankeebarnhomes.com

THE BEACHCOMBER
Designed by Yankee Barn Homes, the Beachcomber
boasts oceanside appeal that looks and feels effortless.
The behind-the-scenes maneuvering to construct a
home in a heavily zoned area, however, was anything but.
Contending with a “high-risk” flood zone and stringent
environmental regulations required an agile approach
well before ground was broken. To win approval from the
Conservation Committee and comply with permitting
requirements, the Beachcomber had to meet several
standard provisions. Homeowner Pietrina Analetto says
the site engineer and design/build team were “very
familiar with the requirements and we designed to those
from the outset.”
From avoiding the use of asphalt and other nonpermeable
surfaces to ensuring first floor elevation of
at least 15 feet, there were a number of challenges to
overcome. For example, the sweeping porch on the
waterside sits in the VE flood zone, while the rest of the
structure is in the AE zone.
Restrictions on building are much tighter. To accommodate,
this was built as a floating section, unattached to the
home itself. The porch and stairs are also open underneath
to minimize drag and SmartVents were installed on
all sides of the 5.5 foot high foundation to allow water to
pass through.
Analetto opted for a rooted base of grass versus gravel or
sand for erosion protection, saying, “Ideally, large pavers
will be added to further anchor the land and maintain an
easy path to the water’s edge.” Experience and innovation
brought this inspired design to life.
Visit yankeebarnhomes.com for more on this project.
bostondesignguide.com 19

At the back of the house, a grand stair leads
the screened porch to the lawn. Pods for the
couple’s 20-something children, each with
multiple bedrooms, baths, and a communal
hangout space are on the second floor. A
dormered bunk room tops the garage at the far
left. The first-floor primary suite angles away
from the great room on the far right. “The kinks
in the floor plan mitigate the home’s scale,”
Battle explains.
Architecture: Battle Architects Writer: Marni Elyse Katz
Builder: Wood & Clay, Inc.
Photography: Greg Premru
20
bostondesignguide.com

JUST RIGHT
Battle Architects and Wood & Clay
join forces to design and build a
love letter to Adirondack style and
artisanal craftsmanship in a summer
house on Lake Winnipesaukee.
How do you create and construct a 20,000-plus-squarefoot
home on Lake Winnipesaukee, the entirety of
which is crafted with inordinate care? “The theme was
collaboration, coordination, and consideration,” says
Shannon Robinson-Beland. She and her husband, Kevin
Beland co-own Wood & Clay, the custom home builder
in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire that led the build.
“It was often a project about management,” Beland says,
noting that the enterprise included over 100 different
tradespeople and artisans hailing from all over New
England, Upstate New York, and out West.
The homeowners, a Connecticut couple with kids in their
twenties, chose John Battle, principal of Battle Architects,
to design the timber frame Adirondack-style home after
their prior vacation residence burned to the ground.
Rather than rebuild in place, the couple acquired three
contiguous lakefront lots where they could realize their
dreams for a resort-like compound that could accommodate
large, extended gatherings of family and friends.
After exploring various iterations, Battle, whose Concord,
Massachusetts-based firm has designed an impressive
bostondesignguide.com 21

(Clockwise, top right) Wood
& Clay built the boat house
first. “The process was very
helpful in establishing a good
working relationship with the
clients,” Beland says.
The kitchen has cherry
cabinets with stained
glass panels and Brazilian
quartzite countertops.
Leather tiles line the wall in
the adjacent sitting area.
Millwork paneling with a
hand-striéd finish inspired by
an Adirondacks lodge is the
backdrop for the front stair
with a carved black walnut
rail. The massive mahogany
door has medieval detailing
such as pyramidical rivets.
The patio off the great room
provides the perfect vantage
point of the lake.
22
bostondesignguide.com

array of lake houses in the Northeast, the clients
concluded they wanted a single structure, not a series of
smaller ones. The challenge, therefore, would be marrying
the architecture with the landscape rather than allowing
it to dominate. “The house would be substantial, but it
could not overwhelm,” Battle says.
The architect reconciled what he calls “a grand vision of
scale and feeling” by carefully considering the land. Step
one was determining the sweet spot. “We identify where
the best views are, then decide what part of the building
goes where,” the architect says. “All of the geometry and
the energy of the house is derived from the geometry of
the site,” Battle explains.
The home, oriented due south on Tips Cove, revels in
lake life. A dramatic screened porch and expansive great
room feature river rock pillars and lively, curved trusses that
support jaunty gable roofs. Architecturally, each presents
as distinct structures; functionally, each serves as its own
magical room. These double height living spaces bookend
the traditional heart of the home—the kitchen and dining
spaces—which nestle between them, set back just enough
to embrace a central, circular patio. “The architecture
wraps to create a marvelous exterior space,” Battle says.
“It’s the perfect way to organize a summer house.”
The Douglas fir frame sets a woodsy tone, but with a sense
of refinement. “The clients wanted a natural look, but not
a rough one,” Beland says. As such, the team used radiobostondesignguide.com
23

(Clockwise, top left) Beland sourced the 8000-pound, granite
slab for the hearth in the great room at a local quarry. “This
gorgeous fireplace needed a base that felt substantial,” he says.
“This is about 12-feet long and 18-inches high.”
The basement includes a bowling alley dressed up like Fenway
Park. The home theater sits behind the wall with the pins.
“Acoustic floors and ceilings affected where the H/VAC and
lighting could be installed and required an additional level of
coordination,” Robinson-Beland says.
Windows with a view to the lake surround the great room,
where the furniture is comfortable and luxurious.
24
bostondesignguide.com

frequency, kiln-dried timber for the posts and beams. “It’s
a more involved drying process that helps minimize the
natural occurrence of checks in the wood,” Robinson-
Beland explains. The curved timbers are grain matched
glulams. “They’re fabricated from the same piece of wood
so the grain is consistent,” Beland says. “You can’t tell
they’re made from laminated layers.”
The architecture and design team—Battle’s wife, Janice
Battle of Beyond the Garden, led the interiors effort—
selected of medley of wood species with tones that offer
rich contrast to the Douglas fir frame. Robinson-Beland
ticks off predominant varieties: “The first-floor features
cherry, mahogany, and red birch, and the second floor
highlights a lot of butternut, as well as oak, and hickory.”
The team of millworkers was vast. In addition to Wood
& Clay’s in-house team, the project required Beland
to bring in millworkers from beyond his usual pool in
New Hampshire and Massachusetts. “We had out-ofstate
millworkers who stayed up here for weeks or even
months,” Robinson-Beland says.
And then there were the artisans. There’s the wood carver
in Lake Placid who made the cherry mantelpiece carved
with native black bears; the blacksmith in Colorado
who forged the wrought-iron fire screen replete with
evergreens; the glass artist in upstate New York who
turned out stained-glass sketches; the list goes on.
Every aspect of the interior is a joyful celebration of
craftsmanship. “The owners’ mantra was that they wanted
to ‘love every inch,’” Battle recalls. “I think we succeeded.”
bostondesignguide.com 25

Photography: Warren Patterson
If you’ve ever desired a bit of space to yourself to let your
mind rest, just far enough away from the bustling household
hub…then join the club. You’re not alone in wanting
time alone, whether it’s to work, play or reset. Maybe you
have shelved a hobby or passion due to lack of space
or privacy at home, or you’re in need of an office that’s
separate from your house—without a commute. From pool
houses to home gyms, the possibilities are vast, just ask
Eric Lien of Lien Enterprises, who has built dozens of stunning
luxury homes in the Metro West area.
GET
OUT
We all need our space and Lien
Enterprises Custom Builders delivers.
Adding a beautifully designed, functional outbuilding
to your property increases your usable square footage
as well as the overall value of your home. A small, standalone
structure is quite flexible in the sense that it can be
adapted to suit changing homeowners over time. What
might be an art studio for one family might serve as an inlaw
suite for another.
Lien and his team have created some of the most sophisticated
examples of high-end outbuildings—see the pool
house and photo/art studio above. No matter the style or
purpose, most outbuildings share one common personality
trait: they feel like a part of the back yard as a natural
extension of the house. But these are no ordinary back
yard structures; they’re works of art and engineering, with
the potential to be the centerpiece of the whole yard.
Check out liencustombuilders.com to start your project.
bostondesignguide.com 27

We sat down with Paul DeLorenzo and
Don Lake to discuss why the RootCellar
Concepts refrigerated pantry just makes
sense homeowners.
What is a RootCellar?
RootCellar ® takes the concept of a commercial walkin
refrigerator and refines the design for residential
kitchens. We’ve customized a pocket door to blend
with any kitchen design and our highly efficient cooling
technology lets you create a complete food storage
system for your home—no separate fridge and freezer
required. Just walk into your RootCellar and grab what
you need for a quick breakfast, family dinner, or to
bring out the party platters and chilled microbrews for
your guests.
RootCellar is ideal for homeowners looking to build or
remodel their kitchen to reflect the way they really live,
cook, and entertain. We are changing the way people
shop and organize, with plenty of space for stocking
up on everything from subscription service meals to
bulk cooking staples and snacks for the kids. With
everything in one place, you’ll find hosting easier—and
more rewarding—than ever before.
How much space will I need?
RootCellar - custom walk-in refrigerator
We design every RootCellar to fit perfectly into your
home. No two projects are alike, so it’s difficult to
answer this question without seeing your space.
Don Lake works on a custom insulated door.
28
bostondesignguide.com

Paul DeLorenzo and Don Lake of RootCellar Concepts
Custom Refrigeration
for the Modern Home
However, we do suggest a minimum footprint of 7’ by
8’ to allow for design elements like the freezer bay and
automatic door. Most of our clients find that 8’ by 10’ is
ideal for a cooler/freezer combination, but we can make
your RootCellar as large as you like!
Remember, adding a RootCellar will allow you to eliminate
your refrigerator, saving space in other parts of the kitchen.
For best results, please contact us early in your planning
process so we can work with your designer to maximize
storage space.
I’ve seen RootCellar Concepts refrigerated pantries in
a wide variety of kitchens, and each one is different.
Is it challenging to build a custom product for every
homeowner?
We’re privileged to work with many talented and creative
design professionals, and we love seeing what they come
up with! Most homeowners find that our refrigerated
pantry is quite easy to incorporate into their kitchen design
because we’ve developed it to be a chameleon of sorts.
The only visible element is the automatic, hands-free
door, which can be fashioned to achieve any artistic vision.
We’ve seen designers match cabinetry or make them
stand out with materials like stainless steel, brass, and
glass. The only limit is your imagination.
Photography: Warren Patterson
How do you keep up with changing trends in kitchen
design?
Simplicity is at the heart of RootCellar Concepts. We blend
right in with current preferences for airy, open kitchens and
pantry living. RootCellar can streamline your kitchen layout
and, thanks to spacious shelving, you can find anything
you need, the moment you need it. And, of course,
the ability to customize your RootCellar door to match
any décor makes it easy for our refrigerated pantries to
complement your favorite design elements.
Is RootCellar the wave of the future? Will it be in every
new home?
We’re always a little suspicious whenever we hear a
product described in sensational terms like that. On
the other hand, we often find ourselves using words
like “revolutionary” and “life-changing” to describe
RootCellar—because those are the words our customers
use. Everyone knows what it’s like to stand in front of their
refrigerator with the door open, searching shelf by shelf
and shuffling items around to find something hidden in the
back. Repeat this ritual three times a day for each meal,
and you’re at peak inefficiency. RootCellar gives people
back their time and creates a much more relaxing space
in the kitchen. And as the center of the home, the kitchen
really sets the tone for how you live.
bostondesignguide.com 29

live large. insure simply.
S aaaa yy h eee ll ll ooooooo tttt ooooooo B ooooooo sssss tttt ooooooo nn ' sssss b ooooooo uu tttt iiiiii q uu eee p rrrr iiiiii vv aaaa tttt eee rrrr iiiiii sssss k aaaa dd vv iiiiii sssss ooooooo rrrr yy ff iiiiii rrrr mm ..
w w w .. c aaaa nn dd sssss iiiiii nn sssss .. c ooooooo mm | 5 0 8 .. 3 3 9 .. 2 9 5 1 | iiiiii nn ff ooooooo @ c aaaa nn dd sssss iiiiii nn sssss .. c ooooooo mm
f ine homes.
autos. watercraft. aircraft. umbrella.

Where Quality Meets Class.
Franklin - Main Office/Showroom/Fabrication Shop:
60 Earls Way Franklin, MA 02038
Phone: 508-528-3088 Fax: 508-528-3021
Newton - Showroom:
297 Auburn St. Newton, MA 02466
Phone: 617-527-2558 Fax: 617-527-2588
Sales@FirstClassMarble.com | www.FirstClassMarble.com |
@ FirstClassMarble

IUS Controls the Sun
with Motorized Shades
IUS is the region's leader in the Luxury Residential marketplace
for Window Treatments and Window Treatment automation.
With four offices covering the Northeast, IUS has the most
experience the region with close to 20 years behind us. IUS
is a multi-generation family run business that thrives on being
small and accessible to our customers. We don't have layers of
overhead but rather a fully accessible owner and team....at any
time! Family is the key to our continued success and we invite
you to meet our family. Let us take care of your project!
• Window Treatments of all kinds
• Motorized Exterior Screens –
Insect Screens to Shades to
Vinyl Weather Screens
• Retractable Motorized Awnings
Available by Appointment
Boston: 42 A Street, Boston, MA 02127
Cape Cod: 18 Steeple Street, 2nd Fl, Mashpee, MA 02649
Newport: 56 Bridge Street, Newport, RI 02840
Corporate: 31 Leicester Street, North Oxford, MA 01537
781-767-4022
info@ius.us.com
ius.us.com

Building Connections
WITH CONCEPT BUILDING
Front: Jeff Capello and Alan Baima
Led by Jeff Capello and Alan Baima, Waltham-based
Concept Building has been serving the Boston area since
2009. During that time, the company has cultivated many
lifelong ties with clients, vendors, subcontractors, and
design professionals. “I have a great relationship with
every client we’ve ever worked for,” says Baima, who
oversees the day-to-day operations at Concept Building’s
various jobsites. “We have many repeat clients, so we get
to know their families, watch their children grow, and see
them enjoying the spaces we’ve created for them.”
For Baima, it’s these individual relationships with clients
and fellow industry professionals that makes his job
fulfilling. “We’ve known some of our subcontractors for
nearly 15 years, and having that core team is a big part
of our success as a company,” explains Baima. “When
it comes to working with architects and designers, our
mission is to support them on site and be as transparent
as possible” In fact, Michael Tartamella, managing
principal of the firm Patrick Ahearn Architect, has
witnessed this first-hand, saying that “Alan always ensures
clear communication across the project team. I always
appreciate his organization and attention to detail.” And
David Boronkay, principal of architecture and interior
design firm Slocum Hall Design Group, agrees: “Alan is
one of the most attentive and knowledgeable contractors
we partner with. He is always multiple steps ahead of
the process, anticipating potential issues and mitigating
them before they come to the surface. His unshakable
temperament makes Alan and the entire Concept Building
team a pleasure to work alongside.”
The goal for every project, according to Baima, is to “deliver
a high-level product that makes people happy. If a problem
arises, we will always rip off the Band-Aid and figure out a
solution instead of pointing fingers. It can be challenging
at times, but I feel very fortunate to do what I enjoy.”
Connect with Concept Builders for your next project by
visiting conceptbuildinginc.com.
bostondesignguide.com 33

When a young family purchased a home in West Newton
Hill, they called upon architect Peter Sachs and interior
designer Heather Vaughan to integrate three generations,
seamlessly, and create a space in which to indulge their
love of entertaining.
Sachs says, “The clients have a wonderful family
orientation which required a multigenerational approach
to designing the house.” To afford household members
privacy, there are two primary suites on opposite ends
of the house connected by flowing communal spaces to
enjoy together and with guests.
In designing the exterior, Sach’s approach was to soften
modern edginess with earthy colors and natural materials.
“Our goal was to blend the house into the landscape and
create a simplicity reminiscent of classic modern American
architecture.”
Inside the mid-century-inspired home, the color palette
exudes bold energy. The intensity of hues “is what makes
them feel wonderful,” says Vaughan. “We needed to find
a way to deliver that in the open concept.” Extending to
the 12 foot ceiling, the kitchen cabinetry is vibrant red
lacquer complemented with crisp white. The visual weight
is carefully balanced as Vaughan introduced color onto
other planes, including the dimensional ceramic artwork
adorning the fireplace wall and the backlit glass pieces
that draw the eye to the living space.
Photography: Jessica Delaney
34 bostondesignguide.com

CLEAN LINES
Interior designer Heather Vaughan and architect Peter Sachs
create a multi-generational, mid-century modern inspired home.
By Katie Mientka
bostondesignguide.com 35

The most significant counterbalance, if you will, is the
bar. Vaughan says, “We wanted this bar to be impactful
but balanced, be high style but organic.” Heartwood
Cabinetmakers executed the design, integrating geometric
detailing to the base of the bar to soften and enhance it.
Above is open shelving, intentionally faceted and angled so
it is visually intriguing no matter where in the home one is. In
a nod to the mid-century flavor, Vaughan opted for a French
blue. Heartwood added a fleck of gold to ensure the color
comes alive on the bar’s dimensional surface.
Vaughan says, “The clients were excited, energetic, and
fearless. They also had a lot of faith in us. Our job is in part
to create that link of trust so we can bring our clients where
they would not go on their own, but once they get there, it’s
authentically them.”
36
bostondesignguide.com
Photograph: Warren Patterson

LANDSCAPE PROFESSIONALS
LANDSCAPE CONSTRUCTION | MASONRY | MAINTENANCE
GREGORY LOMBARDI DESIGN; NEIL LANDINO PHOTOGRAPHY
R.P. MARZILLI & CO., INC. | 508.533.8700
RPMARZILLI.COM

Architecture: Zero Energy Design; Photography: Chuck Choi
“If you’re
looking forward
instead of
backward,
this is the way
to build.”
—Mark Doughty
38
bostondesignguide.com

Earth Day Every Day
with Mark Doughty of Thoughtforms Corporation
by Sandy Giardi
For Mark Doughty of Thoughtforms Corporation, high-performance
starts at home. He and his family have enjoyed
their all-electric modern farmhouse in Lincoln for eight
years (shown at top). This remarkable home was named
“Best Energy-Smart Home” in America by Fine Homebuilding
Magazine in 2017, nabbed two Prism Awards for
“Best Net Zero/Passive House” and “Best Energy Efficient
Project” for Thoughtforms and architect Zero Energy
Design and secured a LEED (Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design) Platinum rating in 2017. The home
generates almost 70% more energy than it uses, or, said
another way, enough to power a Tesla for 35,000 miles.
Doughty considered the home from an energy side (his
family doesn’t have to pay energy bills), from an indoorenvironment
perspective (read: fresh, healthy air) and a
responsible use of materials and resources. When you
enter the home, there are no tell-tale signs that the home
is all-electric or exceptionally efficient, and the family
happily found that there were no real compromises during
the design process or during day-to-day living in the past
eight years.
Another exciting thing, notes Doughty, is that his home
has shown Thoughtforms’ clients that these designs are
attainable, and can be beautiful. These are not homes that
“have a political label or belief system attached to them,
they are economically and aesthetically rational choices.”
In fact, his firm has built multiple homes to all-electric,
net-zero standards, including a modern retreat that is
Architectural Digest-worthy and a historic renovation
that blends seamlessly in it’s Boston-area neighborhood.
“These homes are what comes to mind when you think of
a Thoughtforms home,” says Doughty.
Doughty and his team at Thoughtforms have long focused
on the environmental aspects of construction in their quest
to build “better” homes. After 50 years of Thoughtforms,
it is becoming more broadly understood that homes need
to use less energy overall and be all-electric - all while
maintaining modern standards of comfort, convenience
and beauty. ‘Build to Endure’ is more than a slogan at
Thoughtforms, it is the reason to build the next home
better than the last.
Vist thoughtforms-corp.com for more information.
bostondesignguide.com 39

Photography: Amy Clark
Photograph: Warren Patterson
40
bostondesignguide.com

At this lakefront vacation property, an intricate
home integration and security system gives its
owners the permission to relax.
SAFE
HAVEN
There is always so much more than meets the
eye when it comes to creating a beautiful,
livable home—especially in recent years, when
everything from lighting and climate control
to audiovisual equipment and security can
be controlled with a mobile device, remote,
or voice command. But not all smart home
technology is created equal, and while some
homeowners are content with basic systems that
control the thermostat and speakers, technology
lovers are testing the limits of what is possible.
The latter is true of a recent project by Bostonbased
TSP Smart Spaces, an IT company that
is tapping into its three decades of corporate
experience to bring that same high level of
cybersecurity, data control, and audiovisual
technology to luxury residences. The firm was
hired to manage the security of an addition
at this lakefront vacation property in New
England as well as update the cybersecurity
of the existing system in the main house and
the physical security throughout. Working in
collaboration with architecture firm Shope Reno
Wharton, interior designer Manuel de Santaren,
and KVC Builders, TSP set out to deliver a highly
customized system. “Our clients tend to love
technology as much as we do, so each project
becomes a fun partnership,” says director of
smart spaces Aaron Stallings. And while some
smart home systems boast big speakers and
touch pads, TSP takes the opposite approach.
“Our solutions tend to be as discreet as
possible,” explains marketing director Kjerstin
Oh. “We work with the design team to
incorporate our products into the architecture
so everything is hidden. For us, it’s all about the
experience and feel of a space.”
At the top of the homeowners’ wish list was
safety and security. TSP employed surveillance
cameras that cover every square inch of the
interior and exterior. There’s even a device that
scans the license plate of each incoming vehicle,
allowing permitted cars immediate access to
the garage. The safety concern was even more
critical in the new addition, which houses an
indoor pool, a bowling alley, and a rooftop
paddle tennis court. “The homeowners didn’t
want their young children accessing the pool
alone, so we created user-specific codes that
unlock certain doors,” explains Oh. In turn, the
homeowner has the ability to permit or deny
access on a per-room basis for maintenance
crews, cleaning services, and guests with the
touch of a button. According to Stallings, this
intricate system of doors and electric locks
was challenging to engineer but appears
seamless to the user. TSP also worked with a
local alarm company to install sensors that will
notify the homeowner of disturbances such as
glass breaking or movements in the water. But
there are plenty of fun gadgets, too, including
underwater speakers, extreme-weather speakers
imbedded into the floor of the outdoor paddle
tennis court, and space-inspired lighting scenes
in the bowling alley. “This property is meant
to be a place for enjoyment,” says Stallings.
“The technology supports that endeavor while
enhancing the family’s experience.”
For more information visit www.tsp.me
bostondesignguide.com 41

Don't wait until spring to start planning your
outdoor kitchen and patio projects.
PROVIDENCE | 401-421-5815 | 379 Charles Street, Providence, RI 02904
BOSTON | 617-244-3900 | 244 Needham Street, Newton, MA 02464
FINEHOMEDETAILS.COM

STAYCATION
a Blade of Grass delivers on a dream back yard
This Metro West family home got the ultimate backyard
upgrade. What was once a stark green expanse with a lonely
pool is now a dream spot for multi-seasonal entertaining.
Award-winning landscape design pros, a Blade of Grass,
designed and executed the project with one main motive
in mind: bringing people together in an outdoor space that
could be enjoyed through the seasons in New England.
The stunning transformation started with the existing pool
area, and expanded from there in phases. Jim Douthit, lead
designer and owner of a Blade of Grass, created an oasis
as a series of rooms that spared no detail, including heaters
in the ceiling of the pavilion to add extra warmth on cool
evenings. Mood-setting outdoor lights and a sound system
of the highest quality enhance the ambiance, inviting guests
to linger into the evening. The wood-burning fireplace with
adjacent pizza oven in the pavilion is finished with an elegant
granite mantel, framing the coziest spot outside. Multiple
bluestone patios are surrounded by gardens, and feature
fieldstone sitting walls.
Since the renovation, family and neighbors have been
gathering regularly under the pavilion and around the gas
fire pit. They grill together, share meals at the dining table
and drinks at the outdoor bar, they swim, watch movies and
relax. For anyone spending time there, it’s like being on
vacation, and who wouldn’t want to be a part of that?
Visit abladeofgrass.com to get your dream project started.
Interior Design: Beige & Bleu Design Studio; Photography: Tamara Flanagan
bostondesignguide.com 43

Architect: Andreozzi Architecture
Builder: Parker Construction Company, Inc.
Landscape Architect: Mather & Page Landscape Architects
Landscape: Landscape Creations, Inc.
Writer: Alyssa Bird
Photography: Aron Usher
44
bostondesignguide.com

Family Oasis
Parker Construction and Landscape
Creations help realize a couple’s dream
retreat fit for multiple generations.
bostondesignguide.com 45

“Our firm is regularly
asked to ‘bend time’ on
behalf of New England
homeowners who want
to enjoy home and
property renovations in
time for summer months,
but the pandemic took
our typical challenges
to a new level.”
—Adam Parker
Top left and right: The entrance door
to the addition picks up on an existing
stone arch in the garden. Masonry veneer
on the exterior completes this visual
association to the landscape.
Bottom: A rebuilt custom stairway and
fireplace mantle feature distinctive
fretwork.
Opposite: A custom-designed leaded
glass ceiling in the kitchen brings in
natural light and enhances the home’s
connection to the outdoors.
46
bostondesignguide.com

The homeowners of this waterfront property in Newport,
Rhode Island, recently embarked on an extensive
renovation and expansion of what was originally a spec
house in the hopes of customizing the residence to
their needs. The couple’s children and grandchildren
often visit, so creating spaces with family entertaining in
mind was a must. To help with this transformation, the
homeowners called upon David Andreozzi of Andreozzi
Architecture, general contractor Parker Construction,
landscape architecture firm Mather & Page, and landscape
construction company Landscape Creations.
Parker Construction oversaw the renovation, which
touches nearly every aspect of the home, and introduced
a 2,000-square-foot addition. “The original house was
nice and very well made, but the finishes totally lacked
warmth and character,” recalls Senior Project Manager
Scott Herlihy. The clients agreed to upgrade materials
throughout, replacing the narrow strip oak flooring
with wider black walnut planks and rebuilding the main
staircase to accommodate intricate wood railings.
“These clients were wonderful to work with because they
were really engaged by the idea of creating an exceptional
space for their family,” says Adam Parker of Parker
Construction. “They were always open to shifting away
from traditional architectural paradigms to pursue unique
and exquisite details like the custom stairway, fireplace
bostondesignguide.com 47

Inset: A classical courtyard framed by curvilinear stone
walls now welcomes visitors at the front of the home.
Top: A view from the pool shows the range of inviting
outdoor spaces, including a custom pergola with an
outdoor kitchen and dining area.
48
bostondesignguide.com

mantle, and the glass ceiling in the kitchen.” Perhaps
the biggest interior change is the new kitchen, which
features skylights designed by Architect David Andreozzi
that run the entire length of the space and are wired to
cast an ambient glow at night. “That was the single most
considered piece in the entire property,” notes Herlihy.
According to Parker, installation required a massive team
effort among various tradespeople, since there were
glasswork, lighting, framing, and structural issues to
sort out.
Managing the complex logistics and multi-team
collaboration required on a construction project of this
magnitude are not new to Parker and his team. “Our firm
is regularly asked to ‘bend time’ on behalf of New England
homeowners who want to enjoy home and property
renovations in time for summer months, but the pandemic
took our typical challenges to a new level,” says Parker.
Hit with lockdown orders, labor shortages, pre-vaccine
safety requirements, and supply chain disruptions, the
project required high levels of creativity and teamwork
to hit the date. “Throughout the project, each
subcontractor stepped up when they needed to and
helped push it forward.”
“These homeowners
were so appreciative and
fun to work with. Their
intention was to invest
in future memories with
their family, which is
something that resonates
with us as a company.”
—Jonathan Zeyl
The final pièce de resistance on the project is its new
landscape, which integrates the home with its natural
environment and introduces a front courtyard, gardens,
and several outdoor living spaces including a pool,
covered outdoor kitchen, dining terrace, and fire pit.
Among Landscape Creations’ tasks were final grading
of the site, drainage work, a new driveway, architectural
stonework, paving, pool coping, planting, lawn installation,
and the construction of stone walls, terraces and pathways.
The site’s stonework is a mix of fieldstone, granite, and
limestone—the latter of which is the most predominant.
“We had five overseas containers of limestone that came
in from Portugal early on during the pandemic,” recalls
Jonathan Zeyl, president and co-owner of Landscape
Creations. “To protect ourselves from the rampant supply
chain issues at that time, we ordered extra stock and
custom milled it as needed on site to produce the
different thicknesses and design patterns specified.”
Zeyl also notes that a critical piece of the puzzle was
maintaining consistency with the existing on-site masonry.
“There were certain features that we needed to preserve,
so we had to match the style and technique for everything
to appear cohesive.”
Aside from the extensive masonry work throughout the site, Landscape Creations sourced and installed a
mix of native and nonnative plants, perennial shrubs, and larger trees. “Our overarching objective for this
project was to better connect the home and the landscape,” says Zeyl. “The new pathways and gardens
create a nice flow from the front of the house to the back.” And as for the collaboration with the clients,
Zeyl says it couldn’t have gone better. “These homeowners were so appreciative and fun to work with.
Their intention was to invest in future memories with their family, which is something that resonates with
us as a company.”
bostondesignguide.com 49

Formerly Sounds Good and Audio Video Design
WESTWOOD | WALTHAM | BOSTON (617) 965-4600
At the touch of a button, set the stage for a...
Are you looking forward to time away on your vacation? simpleHome
makes it easy to prepare your home for peace of mind when you set
off to travel the world. At the touch of a button, you can lower your
thermostats, raise your shades, set the lights on a timed schedule
and... relax.
G Y M
A W A Y
S T U D Y
W O R K
24/7 Customer Service simpleHome.net

RICHARD
INTERIOR DESIGN: LIZ CAAN INTERIORS; PHOTOGRAPHY: ERIC ROTH
New Homes | Renovations | Historic Preservation
Home Maintenance | Small Projects
Building trust since 1976.
171 RESERVOIR ST., NEEDHAM, MA 02494 | 781.237.0505
FALLONCUSTOMHOMES.COM | INFO@FALLONCUSTOMHOMES.COM
CUSTOM HOME
DESIGN/BUILD, WEST

Architect: JCG Architecture; Interior Design: Manuel de Santaren; Photographer: Richard Mandelkorn
Architect: LDa Architecture and Interiors; Photographer: Eric Roth
Architect: Ruhl Walker Architects; Photographer: Jane Messinger

Why SEA-DAR?
OUR PEOPLE are what makes Sea-Dar the builder our
clients and partners recommend for complex, high-quality
residential construction. We bring exceptional abilities and
experience to every job, and receive continuous training
and education to keep us at the top of our game. We love
what we do and who we work with, but we also support
a culture that honors work/life balance. With offices in
Boston, New York, Cape Cod, and the Hamptons, our
qualified staff is uniquely able to apply their amazing
talents across urban, suburban, and coastal sites.
We can’t wait to work with you!
Boston | Cape & Islands
New York | The Hamptons
seadar.com

“I wanted being here to feel
like a vacation, a place you
never want to leave.
A beautiful mountain home
with modern amenities.”
—Mark Bogosian
54 bostondesignguide.com

Mountainside Escape
The President of Longfellow Design Build creates an all-season retreat
at South Peak Resort for his family and aims to build more for clients.
By Marni Elyse Katz
The Bogosians looked at a number of mountain
communities before deciding to build a retreat at South
Peak Resort. The 300-acre village at the base of Loon
Mountain in Lincoln, New Hampshire, checked all the
boxes, and then some. “We wanted a four-season getaway
not too far from Boston,” says Mark Bogosian, President of
Longfellow Design Build. “Loon is a great family mountain
with community events, mountain biking, and hiking trails
along the Pemigewassett River.” And then there’s the
skiing. South Peak residents enjoy private chair lifts and
groomed ski trails with snowmaking.
Bogosian enlisted his own company, Longfellow Design
Build to create a home that would be equally as comfortable
for his own young family of five as it would be for
extended family and friends. “I wanted being here to feel
like a vacation, a place you never want to leave,” Bogosian
says. “A beautiful mountain home with modern amenities.”
The 6,000-square-foot, Adirondack style house is sited
both for spectacular mountain views from the doubleheight,
front-facing great room and for the ultimate ski-inski-out
experience off the back. Such perfect positioning
wasn’t happenstance. “Longfellow architects and structural
bostondesignguide.com 55

engineers know how to build on a mountainside,”
Bogosian says, noting the excavation that preceded the
construction. “They understand the importance of working
with the topography.”
The layout of the house anticipates every need from the
start. A lower level mudroom, accessed from the front
drive and the garage, is outfitted with custom cabinetry
for all the accoutrements needed to hit the slopes.
“Guests can come right in and store their equipment,”
Bogoasian says.
A modern stair with a stainless steel cable rail leads up
to the heart of the home: the airy great room boasting
a 28-foot high cathedral ceiling lined with knotty wood
planks. Wide plank, white oak flooring stained rich
brown grounds the soaring, light-filled space. A woodburning
fireplace made from New England fieldstone and
punctuated with a granite slab hearth and a reclaimed
wood mantelpiece anchors the comfy seating area. A
long farmhouse table stretches out behind it, signaling
promises of hearty, family-style meals
The open kitchen is tucked beyond a pair of earthy
columns. An 15-foot-long center island with a shiplap
base and polished concrete top fits eight stools. Industrial
pendant lights, a swooping metal hood, and black
hardware are high-contrast accents against the crisp white,
Shaker cabinetry. “We love the blend of rustic materials
with modern architectural elements,” Bogosian says.
The main level of the home is where everything happens.
“During the day, we’re skiing in and out from the back
mudroom off the kitchen. In the evening the kids might
watch a movie while the adults are in the game room
playing foosball or soaking in the hot tub on the back
patio.” Bogosian says. “People can be doing different
things but still be together.”
When it’s time to turn in, there’s a guest suite on the lower
level with a living room, and another on the main level with
its own balcony. The family sleep on the third floor, where
there’s also a bunkroom for overflow. Vineyard Home was
brought onboard to wire the entire home with smart home
technology that includes high-performance audio and
video, and pre-sets that include an apres ski vibe.
Playing off Bogosian’s experience and satisfaction, as well
as the mountain’s plans for a new ski village and additional
trails, Longfellow Design Build is gearing up to develop
similar setups for would-be homeowners on neighboring
lots. “We build around people’s lifestyles,” Bogosian says.
“Our homes give them the ability to enjoy where they are,
whether it’s an ocean or a ski mountain.”
56
bostondesignguide.com

ostondesignguide.com 57

Custom Homes, Additions & Renovations
www.vallegroup.com | 508-548-1450

Photography: David Shopper
BANG & OLUFSEN’S
NEW SMART HOME EXPERIENCE
CENTER IN SoWa
On Harrison Avenue in Boston’s SoWa design district, luxury
audio brand Bang & Olufsen recently opened its first
experience center in the world. The showroom provides
an immersive showcase for Bang & Olufsen’s products,
including its range of custom installation solutions.
Part retail store offering self-install products for customers,
the main emphasis of the airy 4,000 square-foot space
is the aspirational experience center, which has been
designed to emulate a fully-functioning home environment
with a living room, kitchen, bedroom, and home theater
furnished with a mod, elegant pieces by Molteni from
neighboring showroom, Casa Design.
“Bang & Olufsen is well known in the industry as a
supplier,” says Oliver Pennington, owner of both the
new experience center and the brand’s long-established
Newbury Street location. “But a lot of people aren’t aware
that we are also a solution provider. We sell products and
design and provide integration, installation, and support
on the back end.”
Danish brand Bang & Olufsen, which has been producing
high-end electronics for 97 years, is now interested in
creating systems in which all facets of home technology
work together from lighting and shading to sound,
temperature, and security. “When you buy a car you don’t
buy the tires, seats, and technology separately,” says
Pennington. “So, it makes a lot of sense to have your
home’s light, shade, audio, and temperature components
from one place. When you design things together it’s more
efficient and cost-effective.”
By looking at all of the elements of a home’s technology,
it’s possible to create a truly custom system geared to a
client’s specific needs and to the aesthetic proportions of
their home. Bang & Olufsen’s long-held emphasis on visual
beauty and arresting design has resulted in speakers that
are positively artful. “Our custom solutions can get you a
beautifully appointed room that works with the proportions
of the space and has the best possible sound quality.”
Indeed. See for yourself: when the opaque glass door
turns clear at the entrance to the Harrison Avenue
showroom, a soothing automated voice will invite you into
the space, steering you to select background music from
an assortment of LP’s that play not from a turntable but
from a wall-mounted feature that reads the record. You’ll
be guided around the curated model home and instructed
about its integrated elements from art lighting that varies
according to the time of day to sound systems akin to
those at a multi-plex to speakers that double as décor to
conceal obtrusive televisions when not in use. It’s a truly
tantalizing tour of the abundant technological possibilities
Bang & Olufsen is capable of creating.
Visit Home - BEO Integration to lean more.
Integration.bang-olufsen.com
bostondesignguide.com 59

Photography: Lynne Damianos
Five Principles
of a Passive House
• Continuous insulation: A Passive House
must have a layer of continuous insulation
that wraps around the building envelope
without any thermal bridging. This is
also called “outsulation” because the
insulation is installed on the outside of
the wall and roof framing.
• Airtight construction: Passive houses
require a building envelope that has
five times fewer leaks than a code-built
home. Air leaks allow infiltration from the
outside and a loss of heat.
• High-performance windows and doors:
Triple-paned windows with Low-E glazing,
argon gas and insulated frames are
common. The units need to allow much less air infiltration than typical code-built win dows and doors
• Balanced ventilation and high-efficiency mechanical systems: Another critical component of Passive House design is its
efficient central ventilation system, which continually exchanges stale inside air for fresh, filtered outside air to maintain a
comfortable, consistent temperature and humidity level.
• Managed solar gain: Passive Homes are oriented to use the sun’s energy for heating in the cooler months and to
minimize overheating during the hotter months using energy models to account for the sun’s movement through the sky
in each season.
60
bostondesignguide.com

ART AND SCIENCE OF
PASSIVE HOUSE
Auburndale Buliders president Nick Falkoff
demystifies the benefits of passive home building.
What exactly is a passive
home? In short, a passive
home must be fine-tuned to
be as comfortable, sustainable
and environmentally conscious
as possible. Passive-home
design centers around streamlined
efficiency, involving
construction practices that can
drastically reduce energy consumption and help create a
carbon-neutral world. Passive homes aim to be so efficient
that they produce as much renewable energy as they use
from the electrical grid over the course of a year. Depending
on the level of efficiency, some homes may actually
have an energy bill of nearly zero.
To be considered a passive home, the structure must
meet certain criteria: airtightness, renewable energy
systems, substantial insulation, ventilation, waterproofing
and minimal electrical loads. Passive homes are built
with low-emission materials, moisture regulation and
sophisticated ventilation that allows fresh air to circulate
while maintaining finely calibrated climate control.
To dispel a couple of myths: No, living in an airtight home
does not feel like you’re living in a bubble, and yes, you
can open the windows. It’s also worth noting that you don’t
have to live in a sleek modern box to reap the benefits of
passive-home science. Nick Falkoff, founder of Auburndale
Builders, has worked on many old New England homes
in his career, demonstrating that it’s also possible to
retrofit historic homes while preserving the integrity of
the building. Nick and his team balance performance and
aesthetics, blending their state-of-the-art solutions into
every style of home. Perhaps the most beautiful thing
about this technology is that, for the most part, it’s unseen.
Air-tight, triple-glazed windows are an example of the
invisible science involved in a passive home. Although he
laughs while telling the story, Falkoff isn’t joking when he
boasts that a cat was curled up against a window of one of
his builds on a bitter cold day. Anyone who owns a cat or
an old home in New England knows this is quite a testament
to the comfort level this type of home can provide.
Since Falkoff founded Auburndale Builders in 2005,
the company has built and remodeled some of the first
high-performance, net-zero and passive homes in the
Metro West area. With a passion for community growth
and development, Falkoff also co-founded of SHPDC
(Studio for High Performance Design and Construction
studiohpdc.org), a non-profit organization focused on
providing education and training resources for the design
and construction industry, including classes, workshops,
and reference materials. SHPDC will be offering training
classes and workshops with certified teachers, for
architects, designers, project managers and homeowners.
Visit www.auburndalebuilders.com/office for more info.
bostondesignguide.com 61

Save The Dates
9th Annual
Boston
Rethinks
Design
April 26 – May 8
50+ Design Events
Open to All - Most Free
Register Now for Priority Access
Nationally-recognized guest speakers,
international partner events,
outdoor tours, museums,
and so much more!
Special Festival Theme:
Boston Rethinks Design
Boston Design Week Awards
Friday May 6
2022 Lifetime Achievement Award
Oren Sherman
Produced by:
Fusco & Four/Ventures, LLC
Sponsored by:
BostonDesignWeek.com
Courtesy of Hiroshi Okamoto, OLI Architecture

Ken Frommer and Reihl Mahoney along with black labs, Minnie and Mooch.
Fine Custom Home Building, Renovations & Home Services
“Exceptional Craftsmanship since 1978”
Cape & Islands: 215 Onset Avenue, Onset, MA 02558 | 508-295-8700
Greater Boston: 916 Main Street, Acton, MA 01720 | 978-635-9700
www.kistlerandknapp.com
Architect: applied Form+Space Luis Lobao, Principal Photographers: Joseph Ferraro; Evelyn Dow (portrait)

The Showroom
Experience
SBS OneSource is your one-stop-shop for
exclusive products, education, and inspiration.
The SBS OneSource showroom in Pembroke, MA, has
undergone an evolution, as has SBS OneSource itself.
OneSource began as Specialty Builders’ Supply in 2001
with owner Chris Dias as proprietor and sole employee.
Over the ensuing two decades, Dias built the Brewsterbased
company into a leading supplier of exterior
products for the home building industry. What lacked,
though, was a strong focus on windows and doors. To help
fill this unmet opportunity, Dias brought industry veteran
and friend Denny Giantomasi on as Architectural Windows
and Doors sales manager.
His first order of business was to reimagine the showroom,
which had a long, narrow layout. Giantomasi quips that,
“you could have bowled in there.” When setting out to
make the space more inspiring and interactive, Giantomasi
established a clear vision: “We wanted to offer exclusive
window and door solutions and work with architects
and the design community. We wanted to give them
something to touch, feel, see, and be awed and inspired
by. We wanted to build relationships.”
Giantomasi focused on displaying and demonstrating
unique products such as Norwood windows that feature
a 15-year paint finish, a panoramah! sliding system that’s
17.5 feet tall, and thermal steel windows that aren’t found
anywhere else on the market. SBS OneSource features
top brands including Loewen, panoramah!, Norwood,
HeartWood, FoldUp, Arcadia Custom, Yawal, Kohltech,
and UNILUX. They are exclusive with most of these lines
in Massachusetts, and in some cases, throughout
New England.
Beyond the breadth, depth, and exclusivity of product,
SBS OneSource’s new showroom offers something of
equal value: education and expertise. For example,
Giantomasi explains, pivot doors have become one of
the sexiest door products. “Unfortunately, they had their
advent in warm climates. A pivot door may look beautiful
in your contemporary home, but how are we going to stop
it from leaking? There needs to be a significant overhang
so weather doesn’t have a direct path to the door.”
Giantomasi tells his all-star team, “You have to be the expert.
You have to know your products, where they perform,
where they may fall short, and where they may need supports
in other parts of the design.” Education is critical for
optimal results, and SBS OneSource is a trusted resource.
Architects, builders, and homeowners will find every
upmarket solution they need, and many solutions they
never knew existed, to realize their designs fully. At
OneSource, Giantomasi emphasizes, “We’re showing
people products they’ve never seen. They come back
again and again.”
Visit sbsonesource.com for more information.
64
bostondesignguide.com

Welcome Home...
to the place for creating a modern home.
Our 8000 square-foot showroom at Battery Wharf is New England’s largest Modern Kitchen & Living
showroom offering Europe’s top brands, including TEAM 7, LEICHT, MisuraEmme, Arketipo, Altamarea,
Gaggenau, Thermador, Rolf Benz and Miele, for kitchens, bathrooms, furniture, and wardrobes.
2 Battery Wharf, Boston, MA 02109 | 617-443-0700 | www.divinedesignbuild.com
Partner Architect: Maryann Thompson Architects; Photography: Keitaro Yoshioka