Projects
Work-Live Loft
When our clients—two MIT-educated software designers—purchased this abandoned upholstery shop in Everett, MA, they came to us for help in pulling off a startling transformation. Two years later, the shop has been rehabilitated as two stunning work-live lofts.
We started by changing the building’s zoning from light manufacturing to mixed commercial/residential (learn more about our services). The next step was to turn the messy former-shop into an oasis where our busy clients could both work and relax. A key element in the transformation is a clean material palette of whites and off-whites that was inspired by one owner’s Asian heritage. In the main living space, obscured glass doors, white lacquer cabinetry, and stainless steel appliances soothe the eye. For flooring, we choose renewable bamboo and finished them with a light stain. When the clients want a splash of color, they add it with a high-tech multimedia projector.
The bathroom is an inner sanctum with warmer toned materials, including gray slate stone tile surrounds and single rough-sawn fir beam. The kitchen features a polished concrete countertop that does double duty as a guardrail for the stairs. Downstairs is a comfortable workspace.
The clients rent the second loft to local artists, providing the community with a culturally enriching gathering place. When the gallery is closed, its glowing glass doors create a beacon and add interest to the largely industrial streetscape.
