Sewall Rising

March 2, 2011 Posted by Jonathan Stone - No Comments

After more than two years of planning, design and preparation, the condominium at 109 Sewall Ave. in Brookline [map] is beginning to rise out of its foundation.  With much of the first floor steel framing in place, the eight unit building is beginning to take shape as it begins its ascent to its full height of four stories.

A view from the rear of the site, showing steel Deck under the built-in planters, steel structure under the building footprint.

 

 

 

 

Steel structure over the garage shown in context with early 20th c. brick buildings.

The steel beams and deck seen in the above photos conceals the parking garage beneath and provides the platform upon which the brick and wood superstructure, site planters and rear entry ramp will be built.  Below are some renderings of the final design.

This project is special to us for many reasons.  Its site on a residential street near Brookline’s Coolidge Corner gives it ample access to the T as well as the many businesses located there.  The site response is thoughtful: set back from the street, the project enhances the pedestrian experience with plantings.  The landscape begins with a lawn at the front of the building and wraps around the side in the form of large brick planters, softening the edge between building and site.  Furthermore, the design was a result of working closely with the project’s neighbors as well as Brookline’s Design Advisory Team to reach a level of refinement in the design we feel was quite beneficial to the process.

 

 

The building itself is connected to an existing brick 8 unit condominium building which we renovated in 2009. In doing so, we’ve tied the existing architecture of the early 20th century brick building into our new building, adding modern design cues and novel materials.  The brick façade gives way to protrusions of bays of metal panels and large expanses of glass where flexible living spaces are located.  Steel and glass canopies cover the front entrance and top floor roof deck.

The building’s glass and steel corner maximizes light into the units’ living spaces.

This is a project we’re proud of, and the new building coupled with the renovation of the existing building is a substantial enhancement of its site, block, and neighborhood.  We are looking forward to its completion and seeing the project realized – it will demonstrate how approaching new designs as a counterpoint to an historic context can enhance the site when the architecture is designed with care.

Additional images of this project can be found on our website here.