Renovating an older building within a strictly controlled historic zone presents unique challenges. This 1840 townhouse in the Beacon Hill Historic District of Boston, USA, was generally structurally sound with the exception of an old wood bay window overlooking the garden to the rear of the house that was severely deteriorated. However, the architectural guidelines for the district state that no exterior changes may be made to the structure that can be seen from any public accessible location. After careful observation from every public position in the neighborhood we determined that the bay window could be replaced with a light steel design and even painted brilliant red.
That single gesture, the introduction of south light from the two-story window, illuminates and informs all of the interior design. Most importantly it gives relevance to the library, but the light spills down through the central circulation of the house. Hidden behind the careful historic restoration of the street façade it surprises and delights the intruder to the private space.