Sargent House

ADDITION

This historic house, located on one of Newburyport’s most famous thoroughfares, had excellent bones and worked well for our clients. However, the steep 18th-century staircases became an obstacle for those looking to age in place. Rather than building up, the new primary suite projects out from the main house, allowing older residents and guests to navigate the home safely. The primary suite included a large bedroom, a custom bathroom with a curbless shower and freestanding soaking tub, and a new closet with new laundry appliances for added ease. We also added more storage space above the addition’s first floor and upgraded the main house’s kitchen.

DETAILS

Project Type: Addition
Size: 690 square feet
Location: Newburyport, MA

PROJECT TEAM

Architect: Benjamin Nutter Architects
Builder: BLB Design / Build
Photographer: Freebird Photography

1. AGE-IN-PLACE FRIENDLY

2. INCLUSIVE PRIMARY SUITE

3. MODERNIZED KITCHEN

4. PERIOD-APPROPRIATE DESIGN

5. RUSTIC BARN DOOR DIVIDER

This colonial half-house, believed to have been built between 1740 and 1775, has limited available history; however, it is chock-full of historical elements, including the five original fireplaces attached to the central chimney. Due to the addition’s horizontal rather than vertical layout, each fireplace was untouched and preserved. We incorporated similar features throughout the new space to respect the historical designs. Inside, we included forged iron spade door and cabinet pulls to match the existing doors. Outside, we installed matching white cedar shakes and red cedar clapboards.

While the project’s goal was to provide a first-floor primary suite, our clients also wanted additional storage space. Rather than wasting space above the new suite, we added 175 square feet of room for added storage. We fabricated a custom, period-appropriate door to separate the new storage room from the existing second-floor bedrooms.

The new addition is adjacent to the existing kitchen. We removed a few cabinets and an exterior window from the kitchen to connect the two structures. Initially, the kitchen would be replaced as-is; however, our clients decided to jump on the opportunity to add the kitchen to the scope. While the existing kitchen included modern designs, it needed an upgrade. We replaced all the upper and lower cabinets and painted them white, added forged iron pulls, installed a luxurious gray quartz countertop, and finished the space with new white subway tile.