Here is one of the reasons we’ve been too busy to post lately–
Some before photos of the Mary Baker Eddy House:
Our team of skilled Project Managers, Superintendents, and Subcontractors completed exterior repairs, basement renovations, and accessibility improvements at Mary Baker Eddy’s historic home in Lynn, Massachusetts.
The exterior improvements included removal and replacement of damaged clapboards, fascia and soffit; refinishing of the original window sashes; demolition and rebuilding of the side porch; and excavation and construction of the Vestibule addition.
Also, the Longyear Museum hired an historic paint consultant to research the original color scheme of the building, and these colors were used to generate the color scheme for the exterior and interior. It’s all about the details!
The basement was completely gutted, the existing slab removed, and new drainage and slabs placed. New structural columns to accommodate the location of the new partition walls were installed, and the old columns removed. New walls were added to create two handicap-accessible bathrooms, a coat room, mechanical space and storage area. Ceramic tile was placed on the floors and on the wet wall separating the bathrooms. The existing stone foundation was re-pointed and the brick was white-washed.
The new Vestibule is comprised of three levels – Basement, Ground Level, and First Floor Entry. This structure was designed to house the new lift which can bring people to the basement and the first floor of the house. The structure is comprised of cast-in-place concrete slab and foundation walls, storefront system, metal trim and roof membrane. The interior is finished with slate tile and oak millwork.
…and the after photos:
See the transformation: The First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain
On a bitter, cold evening in January 2005, a fire broke out in the historic First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain, and despite the heroic efforts of firefighters, the building was destroyed. The next morning, all that remained were the outer walls and steeple of the church, along with charred timbers and pews and a pre-civil war organ that was irreparably damaged. What did remain was the spirit of The First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain’s congregation, who were determined to see their home restored.
For years after the fire, the church members met in temporary spaces while raising the funds required to rebuild – first in a tent on the church lot, then at a neighboring institution, and eventually in a double wide trailer in front of the church. The church is located on Centre Street in the center of one of Boston’s most vibrant and diverse neighborhoods. The goal of the congregation was not only to rebuild the church building, but to reestablish its important role in serving the surrounding community.
In 2007, Marc Truant & Associates began providing preconstruction services for First Baptist. In 2008, after careful planning and extensive fundraising, construction began. Phase I, which was completed earlier this year, included foundation work, the rebuilding of the exterior walls, the steel structure of the building, and new finishes and systems. The ground floor level houses the church offices, rooms for Sunday school and community programs, a worship space and a large community kitchen. The soaring upper level space will become the church’s sanctuary when Phase II is completed; Marc Truant and Associates has begun work with the congregation on preconstruction planning for this next phase of the project.
The exterior was completely restored
First floor "flex space" is currently being used by a local school
New kitchen on the first floor
The sanctuary's structure was rebuilt. It will be finished during Phase II of the project, which is currently in preconstruction
It has been an honor for our company to work with The First Baptist Church in Jamaica Plain. The church’s commitment to their mission and their embrace of the collaborative process have been inspiring to everyone involved in the project.
Architect: The Office of Michael Rosenfeld, Inc.
Photos: Ashlee Wiest-Laird (before) & Anton Grassl/Esto (after)