January 2022

Plattypus LLC recently worked with Boston architecture firm OverUnder to renovate a Victorian home in Boston’s South End, renovating a three-unit property into a single-family home. The building’s exterior appearance falls under the protection of the South End Landmark District Commission. One challenge was to complete a renovation without compromising the exterior appearance of the building.
Working with OverUnder’s design, Plattypus LLC demolished the interior of the home and executed the redesign from scratch. The interior of the house was completely demolished down to the brick walls, front facade and roof. As the demolition work progressed, we discovered that the party walls did not have the expected bearing capacity needed for the new layout. We then remedied this issue by creating ring beams – horizontal structural elements bolted to the walls at every story – to support the new floors.
The redesign covered 3,100 square feet of interior space over five floors, including the basement, and allowed for room for four bedrooms and three-and-a-half bathrooms.
An extension was built at the back of the home using bricks salvaged from the demolition process. This houses the kitchen and rear deck on the first floor, along with a home gym, a new entrance and mudroom at the ground level. The staircase leading down to a spa in the basement is fully lined in timber.
Despite the compact footprint and structural challenges, the end result is a property with generous interiors and a contemporary feeling, built to last.