A 1912 Georgian Revival home in Brookline’s Cottage Farm Historic District is getting a second life, and the masonry work is doing a lot of the heavy lifting. The renovation followed the Brookline Preservation Commission’s Local Historic Guidelines, preserving the home’s brick masonry and limestone detailing while adding a clearly modern rear addition that separates new construction from the historic shell.
Designed by architect Frank A. Bourne, the original residence was built for a coal merchant and reflects early 20th century craftsmanship, including brick masonry, limestone accents, copper gutters, and a slate roof. Over time, multiple additions changed the building’s layout, and years of weathering and deferred maintenance weakened the enclosure. That set the stage for a comprehensive reconstruction that renewed both the home’s performance and its place in the neighborhood streetscape.
For mason contractors, the technical scope called out in the project is a familiar checklist for getting historic brick right. Testing of the brick and mortar informed where repointing made sense and where material replacement was needed. The team also used hygrothermal analysis to guide the placement of air, vapor, and insulation layers, a key step on deep energy retrofits where trapped moisture can shorten the life of a masonry wall.
Preservation requirements also shaped the window approach, retaining original single-pane wood windows with storm windows on the historic elevations while using high-performance triple-pane units at the rear addition and existing ell. Restoration work included rebuilding the front facade, replacing the slate roof, reconstructing the garage, and reinforcing masonry walls with new structural steel to open up the interior.
The end goal was a fossil-fuel-free home using an upgraded enclosure plus all-electric heat pumps, mechanical ventilation, and a vented kitchen hood. It’s a good reminder that durable brick and careful repointing details can support comfort, resilience, and preservation goals all at once, especially in historic districts where exterior changes are limited.
Read the full, original article from Dwell here.