Open Studio!
May 29, 2012
This month has been a milestone for GreenBridge and The Riverview Company. After almost 5 years of being in business, we have moved into our new studio space! I wanted to give you a tour of our new space and share its history. Our little barn building was built in the late 18th century. When we first moved to our house, this out-building was nearly falling down the hill to its rear and was 11” out of plumb. It was all potential, but my husband Steven and I loved it at first glance.
It’s been nine years and slow going construction-wise, diversions like our toddler, then a new baby, challenging careers, LEGOS… all were in collusion to the barn not getting finished. For the most part I didn’t think about it and have made a small office next to the kids’ bedrooms work. Steven (my husband and business partner) pressed on, slow but steady. Within our first week in the house, he raised the rear of the barn and installed new foundation piers. As time went on, he built out the interior of the first floor for his cabinetry shop and repaired the clapboards and trim on the exterior.
Steven in his shop.
He built an amazingly WIDE stair to the second floor space, with careful detailing that gained us a dry storage shed below the stairs.
They’re also great for hanging out
Under construction
Steven and friends added the dormers last fall, which make the space comfortable and roomy, with space for a future bathroom and storage.
The studio! This view is toward the PowWow River and the little green bridge
Future window-seat location
Steven built a beautiful conference table using salvaged lumber from a 17th century Amesbury Point Shore structure, a piece I will always treasure.
I’m thrilled to be in the space and can now testify more strongly than ever to the power of design. This space, so perfect for me and my work, is conducive to happy production, collaboration and creativity.
For more information or to schedule a visit, feel free to contact me at juli@greenbridgearchitects.com
Best wishes for a wonderful summer!
Master Planning – Dreaming Prudently
December 12, 2009
Most of us have a long list of items that we want to see for our home. I’ve found that most of our clients want to save energy costs, by adding insulation or upgrading their homes’ mechanicals, but they really need their new mudroom first, and the gutters fixed…..
‘Green Design’ and ‘Sustainability’ are terms that are everywhere these days, and their immediate value to our own homes isn’t obvious, especially when other problems are more glaring – no storage, an ugly kitchen, a messy playroom. Making changes to reduce energy use is real and translates to savings for you and the homeowner, but beautiful design and function is just as important. If your house works well for you and is beautiful, you will love it – you’ll stay there and take care of it. If it is well-detailed and built well, it will last for many years. Your home won’t need to be torn down and rebuilt, because it will be worth keeping. That’s green!
One of our projects, completed earlier this year, a renovation and addition to a 1630 home in Newburyport.
Over the past year, we have been helping our clients with a cost-effective way to organize and plan for upgrades to their homes, by creating Master Plans. Master Planning, or creating a single design that incorporates current and future projects, gives our clients drawings that can be used for cost-estimating as they decide to move forward with individual projects. The Master Plan is also an important tool that insures that each project is moving them toward their desired goal and that today’s construction won’t have to be rebuilt or removed tomorrow.
A recent example of our Master Planning work was completed for an ‘New Englander’ home in Newburyport. Our clients for this project are a young couple with one young child and another baby on the way. They have strong roots in the home (one of them grew up there) and plan to live there for the long term.
The Master Plan for their home includes a new Kitchen and Mudroom on the first floor, an expanded Master Bedroom Suite on the second floor, an ‘au pair’ suite on the lower level, and the renovation of their garage to a patio-side ‘Cabana’. Our schematic or design drawings consist of floor plans, exterior elevations, and a model.
With our partner company, Riverview Builders, we are able to provide cost-estimates and quality construction for all or portions of the work, providing complete architectural and construction services.
For our Newburyport clients, their greatest need right now is their 2nd Floor Hall Bath – we’re excited to be starting with that project early next year.
We would love to talk to you about your home and where it will be in a hundred years – feel free to contact us with any questions or to find out more about this process. Happy New Year!!!!!!
Juli MacDonald, AIA, LEED-AP
Newburyport Farmer’s Market!!
February 6, 2009
Newburyport is getting a farmer’s market!!!! Can’t wait for summer?!
From their site www.thenewburyportfarmersmarket.org:
“Beginning in June and held every Sunday, the farmers’ market will take place in the Tannery Parking lot, along Water Street, come rain or shine! When the market opens this Spring, enjoy fresh produce grown by our local farmers and come see what artisans in the community have been creating!
Our mission is to support a viable food system that brings local farmers and the community together where we can enjoy the fruits of the earth and learn from each other. To promote awareness of sustainability practices and how they help preserve and protect the planet.”
Go to www.thenewburyportfarmersmarket.org for more information. They are kicking it off with a dance party February 20th at the Mission Oak Grill and an info meeting on the 22nd at the Tannery.
