Aldo Shoes

MSH Architecture’s renovation of a retail store at 180 Newbury Street, Boston, added an upscale accent to this expansive plaza at Exeter Towers in Boston’s tiny Back Bay neighborhood. MSH designed a greenhouse-like extension to the storefront to bring light into the retail space and present a more prominent and visible facade for the store.

MSH also restored and remodeled the exterior plaza in front of Exeter Towers. Large granite pavers with an aggregate finish were set in a scored pattern, and solid granite curbing was placed around the trees set into the plaza to accentuate and protect them from foot traffic in this popular pedestrian area.

MSH assisted in locating and coordinating the installation of Watch Station and Sun Glass Hut at Exeter Towers as well.

MSH Architecture Associates also assisted Aldo Shoes in locating stores at two other prominent retail spots in the Boston area, a four story building at 330 Washington Street, Boston that was renovated for retail and local corporate offices and a Harvard Square location at 24 JFK Street in Cambridge.

HOUSE ADDITION, WELLESLEY, MASSACHUSETTS

Set in the picturesque New England town of Wellesley, Massachusetts, this two-story home required expansion to accommodate the owners’ need for more living and sleeping space for their growing family. The new addition designed by MSH Architecture Associates transformed a traditional three-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath house into a spacious four-bedroom, three-and-a-half bath home with the more open spaces its owners were seeking.

To accomplish this transformation, an attached garage, too small to fit two cars comfortably, was demolished. In its place, the architect designed a more functional two-car garage, with a large master bedroom and bath suite above. The existing kitchen was removed to facilitate the design of a new, more spacious kitchen and a new entry mudroom area between the garage and kitchen. A hexagonal breakfast area, featuring tall glass windows and full-glass French doors leading out to the large backyard, was also added, as was a new bathroom.

The cathedral ceiling in the new breakfast area adds an open airy feeling to the space and functions as the pivot point for the living spaces on the first floor. The lushly-landscaped yard can be experienced in views from the breakfast area and interconnected family rooms. From the breakfast area, one also has a clear view back towards the kitchen and through to the dining room.

The second floor of the home was reconfigured to accommodate an au pair suite for a live-in nanny. The room has a private bath and is adjacent to the children’s rooms and a new laundry area, which is also conveniently located near the master bedroom.

The master bedroom suite above the new garage includes large sleeping and sitting areas and a gracious master bath, incorporating a Jacuzzi tub with full tile surround, a full tiled shower, a double vanity, and a recessed toilet area. The master bedroom suite also includes two walk-in closets. Windows near the corners of the master bedroom allow expansive views of the yard. The master bedroom’s cathedral ceiling with skylights and subtle indirect lighting in articulated ceiling ties also contribute to the open and spacious feeling that is a major feature of this impressively-redesigned home.

NEWTON, MASSACHUSETTS MULTI-LEVEL HOME

This remodeling project and addition by MSH Architecture Associates for a 1950’s-era multilevel home included designing a new kitchen and dining area, with a spacious and light-filled family room addition opening onto a large elevated wooden back deck. The new kitchen has a large granite-topped island with seating, top-of-the line appliances, and abundant cabinets for storage. French doors open onto a new study.

The existing front entrance was extended forward to create a new entrance foyer and spacious, light-filled stair to a new third story. In the third floor addition is a new master-bedroom suite with a double vanity, shower, and whirlpool tub. The second floor bedroom was remodeled into a second master suite to accommodate in-laws. The lower level was also reconfigured for an additional family-room space and guest room. The use of white walls and natural wood trim throughout adds to the open and airy feeling of this trendsetting designer home.

ARLINGTON, MASSACHUSETTS TUDOR CONVERSION

This Tudor home, while sited on a deep well-landscaped lot, included some cramped rooms and a kitchen in serious need of updating. Removing walls and adding two extensions to the back of the house provided much-needed space. One extension includes a gourmet kitchen with counter-top eating area, a large and well-located pantry, and a comfortable sitting area with a sliding door to a spacious deck, providing additional outdoor living space. The second extension enlarged the neighboring family room to provide a home-office area with gorgeous views of the backyard.

ADDITION AND REMODELING OF WEST ROXBURY (BOSTON), MASSACHUSETTS HOME

Set on a quiet street in the West Roxbury section of Boston, Massachusetts, this two-story home benefited greatly from a family-room addition and second-floor remodel by MSH Architecture Associates.

On the first floor, the spacious new family room designed by MSH overlooks the deck and a pleasant backyard and connects with the newly-renovated kitchen toward the front of the house. The family room’s large picture window and full glass sliding doors allow generous views of the landscape and provide abundant natural light. A cathedral ceiling with skylights and indirect lighting in the recessed ceiling ties adds to the spaciousness and connection between the indoors and outdoors.

The existing second floor of the house had a deck off the master bedroom, but did not have a master bathroom. The solution developed by MSH was to infill the small second-floor deck to create a master bathroom. The master bathroom includes a Jacuzzi tub and companion shower, a double vanity, and a recessed toilet area.

NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS HOUSE ADDITION

This family sought to expand their multi-level 1980s-era home to include more comfortable and open living spaces on the upper floor with home theater and home office beneath. MSH designed a spacious addition to the rear of the house, which incorporates a large open family room-kitchen ensemble w/ eat-in kitchen, with an island for food preparation and casual counter seating. A vaulted ceiling enhances the open feel of the new space. Skylights were set in the vaulted ceiling between structural ties that contain indirect lighting. A deck off the kitchen allows exit to the landscaped back yard, which can also be reached by French patio doors from the lower level.