The design of this project required balancing three main priorities. First was to faithfully replicate the historic 19th century Greek Revival style found across New England. Second, site and zoning conditions required re-using a portion of the existing foundations from a sprawling one-story Cape home. And thirdly, to design a comfortable and sunny home for an active family. To undertake a faithful reconstruction of a Greek Revival home the architects traveled from Boston to Maine studying period homes. Systematic documentation, measurements, and photographs help identify the defining elements of the style, both interior and exterior. The results of these studies can be found in elements throughout the home from the style of the porch columns to attic fan windows and oval clerestory windows. A major design challenge was reconciling a somewhat sprawling footprint with the typical roof heights and proportions expected in period Greek Revival homes. The solution was to use a pinwheel layout of gables with a portion of flat roof in between to disguise the true size of 4,800 SF home behind the historically proportioned rooflines. The design team also worked hard to ensure that the interior spaces were laid out in a manner that reflected the historic character of the home while also providing the modern amenities for modern family living.
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This “new old house” built in Weston, MA, is an academic replication of the historic Greek Revival Style of New England.
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The low roof ridge height conveys a historic small size and scale, while the pinwheel plan arrangement of rotating gables disguises the true home’s 4,800 square foot size around a concealed center roof.
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This intimate front entry features Greek Revival mouldings, leaded glass, and authentic window shutters and the adjoining dining room.
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A three-sided Greek Revival mantle with Doric columns anchors the main living space and an entablature accented with triglyph mouldings wraps the room.
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Stunning design. It really reflects the historic character of the home.