All about Doors!

We love doors!   As architects working on Cape Cod, we are inspired by the antique utilitarian sliding barn doors we see in barns across the cape and simple pine panel doors on old Cape Cod houses.  We also love working with modern glazed doors with many exciting options to open up views.

Historic Dennis Village Cape - Antique Front Door & transom

Chatham Village Historic Renovation - new 3 panel slider

There is so much to the architectural design of a new space – from what is your program(ie a new commercial space, accessory dwelling unit, a new home design? To  how many bedrooms, bathrooms, garage, ects) to your site, sun orientation, budget, schedule, regulatory boards (historic!)... the list goes on!  Sometimes it is easy to get caught up in the those big picture items that we forget to take a minute to look at smaller details that can really make a space special. Today we’re choosing to focus on doors!  

A few years ago your options could be a little limited, but we’re finding more and more options on the market and more builders and installers that are familiar and comfortable with these products.    We love a classic reconstruction of a historic door type all the way to a modern profile bifold that fully opens up and connects the interior of a space to the exterior (or screen porch!).  We love the way these components can really change the overall feel and use of the spaces! 

Here are a couple of door types we’ve used on recent projects that we just love and we have a few projects in design and under construction using some pretty exciting products!

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Exterior Sliding Barn door

Association to Preserve Cape Cod - Barn Door

This project has been featured on our blog and Instagram recently.  We renovated a historic barn replacing an existing overhead garage door for new Marvin full light hinged doors and working sliding wood barn doors. 

Association to Preserve Cape Cod Barn - 3 panel Marvin Door with Sliding barn doors open

Association to Preserve Cape Cod Barn - 3 panel Marvin Door with Sliding barn doors open

A3 Architects Barn - Sliding Barn Door

A3 Architects Cape Cod Barn - sliding door open with Triple Glazed Mathews Brothers slider

A3 Architects Cape Cod Barn - sliding door open with Triple Glazed Mathews Brothers slider

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Interior Sliding Barn doors

Barn doors really had a heyday a few years back and while the trend has faded some – we couldn’t help but see how this door type can be really functional in high traffic spaces that don’t need much privacy.  One of our favorite uses for this door type is in a hallway where a washer and dryer is located.  For clearance around a washer and dryer  you need a fairly large opening.  This normally calls for a double hinged door, but the swings of the door can be cumbersome opening up into a hallway – insert sliding barn door!  This keeps the hallway clear, provides a way to visually tuck away the laundry closet, and possibly add a pop of color & texture to your space.  

Brewster Renovation - Sliding Barn Door at hall laundry closet

Dennis Net Zero House - Sliding Barn Door at hall laundry closet

Another location that can be fun to use a sliding barn door is at a pantry – easy to slide open when your hands are full

Barnstable Village Historic Renovation - Sliding Barn Door at Pantry

Lincoln Net Zero House - Sliding Barn Door at Pantry

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Bifolds

Bi-folding doors have really become more common in recent years.  Builders are more comfortable with the installation and the options and sizes available are really exciting! This door type opens to the exterior and stacks to either the left or the right. 

The pros: You get one large opening (which is amazing!) We have some truly gorgeous sites on Cape Cod and we love idea of truly connecting your interior spaces to the exterior!

Net Zero Dennis House Primary Bedroom1 & Roof Deck - Loewen Bifold Door open (with views of the Marsh)

The cons:  (we hesitate to say the cons of the door… more like the things to be aware of): The doors do open up to the exterior and take up some space that might impeded your deck furniture layout and/or traffic flow.  In high wind locations, these doors are not advised, and it is recommended that you provide an overhang/small roof to protect the door when opened.  

Dennis Village House Dining Room - Loewen Bifold Door (door closed)

Dennis Village House Dining Room - Loewen Bifold Door (view from interior)

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Dennis Village House Dining Room - Loewen Bifold Door (view from exterior)

With all of this being said – our favorite application for these doors is onto a screen porch.  This truly connects the interior living space to your screen porch/three season’s room when open. 

Net Zero Truro Main Living Space & Screen Porch beyond. Bifold door fully open

Net Zero Truro Main Living Space & Screen Porch beyond. Bifold door fully open

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Sliders 

Sliders are great on the Cape!  As mentioned above, bifolds are amazing for their ability fully open and connect the interior spaces to the exterior, but the doors opening up to the outside is something to consider (especially with Cape Cod’s tricky weather!)   When we have a site located in a high wind area, a slider is a great option!  These doors are well tested for our area and with a 4 panel slider – you get the light and visual connect with a 6’-0” to 8’-0” opening on a typical slider (there are also custom options where the open space can get even larger!). There are so many different types of sliders available from the standard style, to lift & slide, to a stacking option.

Eastham near Net Zero House - main living space with 4 panel Andersen slider onto screen porch

Point of Rocks Fishing Shack - renovation & addition / main living space with views of Cape Cod Bay

Historic Dennis Village Cape renovation and addition / view of main living space and 4 panel slider

& the Front Doors

From the classic Cape Cod style to something a little more modern. We love when the front entrance of the house makes a statement — welcoming both the homeowners & guests into the space.

Stage Harbor House - Front Door with covered entry

Brewster Flats House - Front Door & farmer’s porch

Near Net Zero Dennis Village House Front Door

Near Net Zero Dennis Village House Front Door -Interior

Lincoln Net Zero House - Front Door (view from interior)

Lincoln Net Zero House - Front Door

Eastham near Net Zero House - Front Door

Eastham near Net Zero House - Front Door (view from interior)

Truro Net Zero House - Front Door

Truro Net Zero House - Front Door (view from inside)

Chatham Light near Net Zero House - Front Door

Chatham Light near Net Zero House - Front Door

A3 Barn Renovation

We are so excited to work with local photographers! Abby Grattan of Grattan Imaging photographed our favorite little Cape Cod barn on 6a (besides APCC!)  Below are some shots from behind the scenes. 

Newly renovated A3 Barn in Dennis Village - Photoshoot day with Abby of Grattan Image

We have been working on architectural design plans to rehabilitate this small barn (22’-0” x 24’-0”) on the back of our office property for the last couple of years.   It was in rough shape but had good bones.  We saved all the historic Cape Cod post and beam barn framing. The architectural plans depict reusing the top plate beams as decorative beams on the first floor ceiling. The existing small second floor loft was renovated to highlight the vaulted ceilings and the architectural design of a modern new skylight creates a space that feels a lot bigger than it actually is. The new loft space is a +/- 900 square foot additional studio office or future accessory dwelling unit or ADU.  We hope to have downloadable architectural plans featuring this Cape Cod barn available for purchase soon.  We hope this small barn could fit on many properties here and be a small but flexible option for many properties. Accessory dwelling units can hopefully be part of a solution to the housing crisis on Cape Cod.

A3 Dennis Barn - Existing Conditions

A3 Dennis Barn - Construction

Professional Photography: Grattan Image

Kitchen: IKEA

Floors: Rough Sawn Planks from Midcape

Windows: Mathews Brothers

Skylight: Velux

HERS: Home Energy Raters

NET ZERO HISTORIC BARN DENNIS VILLAGE RIBBON CUTTING →

We’re looking forward to the ribbon cutting for the newly renovated APCC Net Zero historic barn in Dennis Village this Friday, May9th. Here is a look back at the project from start to finish!

About the project:

Local environment advocacy group the non-profit Association to Preserve Cape Cod wanted to repurpose the historic barn on their Dennis campus.  The original post and beam barn built in the late 1900s, approximately 30'-0" x 36'-0", and sitting on a rubble foundation. A3 proposed  transforming the barn into a modern net-energy zero double height classroom with lab space in the walkout basement and offices on the 2nd floor. The barn was lifted and set down on a new foundation.

Exterior of Net Zero Historic Barn Dennis Village

Interior of Net Zero Historic Barn Dennis Village

Historic Photo of the Historic Barn in Dennis Village

Existing framing of the Historic Barn in Dennis Village

Historic Barn in Dennis Village lifted and set back down on a new poured concrete foundation.

The Process

A3 proposed  transforming the barn into a modern net-energy zero double height classroom with lab space in the walkout basement and offices on the 2nd floor. The barn was lifted and set down on a new foundation.

Existing antique framing & new framed 2nd floor offices at Historic Dennis Village Barn

View of existing antique roof framing at Historic Dennis Village Barn

The existing framing with layers of salt and white paint was largely in good shape. We knew that we wanted to highlight this historic post and beam framing and thus decided to add insulation to the exterior with high performance SIPS panels (structural insulated panels). New windows and doors along the front (facing 6A) and south provide natural lighting and passive solar gain.  We added a metal roof with solar panels to get to net-zero. 

Exterior of Net Zero Historic Barn Dennis Village - Existing sheathing remained in place

Exterior of Net Zero Historic Barn Dennis Village - Exterior insulated SIPS panels installed

New triple glazed Mathews Brothers Windows and new dipped cedar shingles at the Net Zero Historic Dennis Village Barn

The ResultS

The new space is a unique mix of historic post and beam framing and wood floors/ceilings with modern interventions for new framing/windows, railing and solar to create a multi-purpose space ideal for educational programs and more! The high performance barn will hopefully be a gathering spot for APCC programming for the next 100 years.  We look forward to seeing the natural landscaping with local plants complementing the barn on the site.

Net Zero Historic Dennis Village Barn - Main Entrance

Net Zero Historic Dennis Village Barn - Main gathering space

Net Zero Historic Dennis Village Barn - Stair to loft

Net Zero Historic Dennis Village Barn - 2nd floor office

Net Zero Historic Dennis Village Barn - South elevation

Project Team

• Clients:                        Association to Preserve Cape Cod

• Architect:                    A3 Architects

• Builder:                       Sesuit Construction Management, LLC

• Site Engineer:            Down Cape Engineering

• Structural Engineer:  McKenzie Engineering

• HERs Rater:               Home Energy Raters

• Photographer:  Peter Julian Photo

• SIPs Panels:                 Foard Panel

• Doors:                           Marvin

• Windows:                 Mathews Brothers tripled glazed windows

• Interior Insulation:    Timber HP

• Sidewall:                      Dipped Cedar Shingles

• Roof & Gutters:          Atas Metal Roof

• Building products:     Mid-Cape Home Centers            

• Electrical Fixtures:      Big Ass Fans, Barn Light Electric, Steve Swain: Fish Vortex          

Net Zero Hingham House is on the market

Our Net Zero Hingham House is on the market — Take a look at the feature in Boston Magazine for more information!

Photography by: Kerry Riordan of Blu Lemonade

More about the Hingham Net Zero House:

The existing site consists of an existing stone house with detached garage in Hingham. The garden and grounds are wooded and removed from the street. The existing stone house is nearly uninsulated. The owners purchased this lot and wanted to build a new small superinsulated house on the site, adjacent to the existing house. The new modern farmhouse is quite small, just over 2000 SF for a family of 5. It's sited in the existing garden surrounded by mature fruit trees and almost not visible from the street. The house is elongated along the east-west axis to maximize the solar exposure to the south. The main rooms are all located along the south facade where they'll receive maximum passive solar gain. The south roof provided is for PV and solar thermal panels.

energy:  MA New Homes with Energy Star Tier 3 - Solar panels on south roof by E2Solar, Dennis MA

Net Zero West Dennis House featured in Cape Cod Home

Thank you so much to Cape Cod Home for publishing our Net Zero West Dennis House!

We loved working with this young family on their new West Dennis beach house. The house is designed to be net energy zero and to take advantage of some amazing views of Nantucket Sound and a pond to the back.

The project has some tight restrictions including zoning lot coverage, FEMA flood regulations and conservation restrictions.   The 3400 SF design spreads the program vertically over 2 and ½ stories to take advantage of the views, that get dramatically better as you go up.

Builder:  McPhee Associates of Cape Cod

Interior design: Color Theory Boston

Solar Panels: E2 Solar

Landscape: Phil Cheney

For more photos: Net Zero West Dennis House

Best of Boston 2021 - Sustainable Architect

A3 Architects was honored to be named Best of Boston Sustainable Architect for 2021!   We continue to be passionate about our commitment to net-zero design- creating buildings that create as much energy as they use.  We have some exciting net zero and passive house projects in the design phase and look forward to beginning construction in the upcoming year. We are so thankful to have many clients who share this commitment and happily share their energy bills with us!  We appreciate the recognition as we continue to pursue energy efficient projects across the Cape and Islands, and beyond.  Congratulation to all the winners! 

Fine Homebuilding - Net Zero Scituate

A3 was excited when Fine Homebuilding reached out to discuss our Scituate Net Zero project. Check out the article in the December/January Issue and see below for a little more information on the project!

The site is an existing 5000 SF lot in a dense waterfront neighborhood of Scituate overlooking Third Cliff. The house is a year round home for a young family of four. Energy modeling was used extensively to design the house to be a cost effective approach to near net energy zero. The solar panels on the roof will provide +/- 70% of the heating, cooling and electrical load. The design reflects the traditional shingle style in the neighborhood and orients all living areas East, toward the Atlantic.  The new structure is a simple 3 story home that maximizes views to the East while maintaining a small yard to the rear. The front porch communicates with village streetscape, and the dramatic third floor deck commands a sweeping 180 degree view of the ocean. The kitchen-dining-living area on the first floor is a simple and relatively small open plan with a cozy den off the entry. Three bedrooms are located on the second level, again with views of the ocean. The 3rd floor contains an office and playroom with sloping ceilings that create an airy space with dramatic views.

energy:  HERs index: 62 --- MA New Homes with Energy Star: Tier 3. Solar on south roof by E2 Solar

builder:  Ronan Residential, Scituate MA

solar: E2 Solar

photography: Dan Cutrona

Cape Cod Home's Annual Guide and interview with Alison Alessi

What a great resource — Check out Cape Cod Home’s Annual Design Guide 2020! (Also take a peak at A3’s Alison Alessi interview on Inviting Interiors.)

Historic Harwich Cape published in Cape Cod Home

Thank you so much to Cape Cod Home for publishing our historic renovation in Harwichport!

Homeowner’s Steve and Peggy from Dallas Texas asked us to help them create a real family gathering space in their historic Harwichport home. The home, which has been in Steve’s family for over 100 years, consists of an historic half-Cape (the antique), a dated 50s kitchen connector and a 1980s addition (the annex).   Steve grew up coming to Harwichport in the summer and wanted to provide that for the next generation.

We decided to leave the antique and the annex largely intact and worked on connecting them better with a more modern gathering space that could accommodate their extended family.

The modern addition acts as connector – from old to new, inside to out and front to back.  It consists of a large kitchen, dining and living areas.  Since the existing rooms are all small and have low ceilings, we thought the new modern rooms should be expansive and have some height to them. The spaces are all open to one another, but the living room ceiling is vaulted to follow the gabled roof line.

From the exterior the new addition gabled entry signals a more modern approach in the back.  It pulls visitors to the new entry into the new living room.  The new simple bluestone patio in the back is a private oasis for summer parties.

The Clients hope to spend more time in Harwichport moving forward!

To check out the article: https://capecodlife.com/harwich-port-cottage/

Net Zero Lexington House published in GB&D

Thank you so much to Green Building & Design Magazine for publishing our Net Zero Lexington House!

The house is designed with superinsulation strategies including a double wall and roof insulation values. This superinsulation, and near airtight envelope with ventilation, reduces the heating and cooling load so that the entire house is heated and cooled with several mini split heat pumps.  Everything in the house is electric, by design to match the electric production of the photovoltaic panels on the garage roof facing south. Over the course of the year, the solar panels provide enough energy for the entire home!

To check out the article: https://gbdmagazine.com/2019/lexington-net-zero/

To learn more about the project: Net Zero Lexington House

Spotlight: Brewster Flats House

Expats Stu and Nancy had spent the last 10 or so living in Asia, and despite raising their family on the west coast, when it came time to put down permanent roots, the answer was Brewster.  Nancy’s father had built a small cottage on the top of a small hill on their lot that afforded peeks of the Bay from the front of the house.  We decided to save the existing foundation,  and rebuild up from there to create a larger and brighter family home that still fits in the streetscape of the existing seaside neighborhood along the Bay.

In addition to gathering art from all over far East, the homeowners saved many items from the existing cottage including the brick flooring from the old sunroom to use in the new mudroom. These touches help to remember the old but the new is decidedly more modern. With high ceiling and large double hung windows, the new living room is bright and airy.  The new kitchen facing south has a dramatic vaulted ceiling and more windows overlooking the leafy backyard.

The large open floor living, dining and kitchen have natural light all day, with a small cozy study located off of the dining area.  This office serves are workspace as well as gallery.  The master bedroom is located to the east with a spa-like master bathroom.  The functional mudroom entry connects living areas to garage with functional pantry and laundry areas. The 2nd floor contains 2 additional bedroom and connected bathrooms with high cathedral ceilings.

Project Details:

• Location: Brewster, Massachusetts

• House Type: Single Family Residence

• Construction type: New Construction w/ salvaged brick fireplace and foundation

• Extg House sqft (demolished): 1680 sqft

• Renovated House w/ new addition sqft: 2770 sqft

Builder: TA LaBarge

Photographer:  Dan Cutrona

For more images: Brewster Flats House

Brewster Flats house Construction slideshow

Spotlight: Historic Harwichport Cape

Homeowner’s Steve and Peggy from Dallas Texas asked us to help them create a real family gathering space in their historic Harwichport home. The home, which has been in Steve’s family for over 100 years, consists of an historic half-Cape (the antique), a dated 50s kitchen connector and a 1980s addition (the annex).   Steve grew up coming to Harwichport in the summer and wanted to provide that for the next generation.

We decided to leave the antique and the annex largely intact and worked on connecting them better with a more modern gathering space that could accommodate their extended family.

The modern addition acts as connector – from old to new, inside to out and front to back.  It consists of a large kitchen, dining and living areas.  Since the existing rooms are all small and have low ceilings, we thought the new modern rooms should be expansive and have some height to them. The spaces are all open to one another, but the living room ceiling is vaulted to follow the gabled roof line.

From the exterior the new addition gabled entry signals a more modern approach in the back.  It pulls visitors to the new entry into the new living room.  The new simple bluestone patio in the back is a private oasis for summer parties.

The Clients hope to spend more time in Harwichport moving forward!  

Project Details:

• Location: Harwichport, Massachusetts

• House Type: Single Family Residence

• Construction type: Renovation & Addition

• Extg House square footage: 2407 sqft

• Renovated House w/ new addition sqft: 2844 sqft

Builder: George Davis Builders

Photographer:  Dan Cutrona

Kitchen before renovation/addition

Kitchen after renovation/addition

Game room/Dining room before renovation

Game room/Dining room after renovation

Living room renovation before

Living room renovation after

Backyard before demo and addition

Backyard after demo and addition

Historic Harwichport Cape Construction slideshow

Spotlight: Net Zero Lexington House

These clients in Lexington MA came to us with an idea of creating a new net-energy zero home for their family of five.  The husband is self-employed and wanted a large office that could accommodate clients.  The wife makes jewelry and wanted a place to be able to work on her craft. The three kids are in high school and college (when they aren’t travelling the world!) but this new home was to be their family’s hub and home base.

We worked on an existing site with a rundown 1950s ranch that was removed.   We sited the new house, connector and garage to maximize passive and active solar.  The garage is located closer to the busy street while the house overlooks the gorgeous backyard oasis with lots of glass overlooking the owners own landscape design.

The house is designed with superinsulation strategies including a double wall and roof insulation values. This superinsulation, and near airtight envelope with ventilation, reduces the heating and cooling load so that the entire house is heated and cooled with several mini split heat pumps.  Everything in the house is electric, by design to match the electric production of the photovoltaic panels on the garage roof facing south. Over the course of the year, the solar panels provide enough energy for the entire home!

The interiors of the home are modern and open.  The IKEA kitchen opens to a dining area and open vaulted living room with balcony above. There’s a quieter study/bedroom to the east, and several bedrooms on the second floor.

Project Details:

• Location: Lexington, Massachusetts

• House Type: Single Family Residence

• Conditioned Area: 4212 sqft

• Conditioned Volume: 52458 cubic ft

• HERS Index:  42 (calculated w/o renewable, w/ renewable net zero ready)

• ACH:  0.72 Air Changes per Hours

Mechanicals:

• Heating/Cooling: Wall Mounted MSHP

• Ventilation System: ERV

• Appliances:  All Electric

• Water:  Heat Pump Hot Water Heater

• Lighting:  Energy Efficient LED Lights through Mass Save Program

Insulation:

• Ceiling:                        R:  60

• Exposed Floor:            R:  40

• Above Grade Walls:  R:  40

• Foundations Walls:     R: 19

• Slab:                            R: 20

Construction Details:

• Wall Type:  Double Wall Construction

• Windows:  Triple Glazed Intus Windows

• U Value:  0.088

• SHGC:  0.494

• House Wrap:  Solitex Mento 1000 (air tight, vapor permeable)

• Air Barrier:  Intello Plus

Builder: AEDI Construction

HERS Rater:  Home Energy Raters LLC

Photographer:  Kyle Caldwell

Net Zero Lexington Construction Slideshow

Seven Sustainable Design Firms That Will Help You Go Green

Big thanks to Boston Home Magazine for including A3 Architects on their list of 7 sustainable design firms! Check out the write up on Boston Home Magazine.

Cape Cod Home - Chatham Stage Harbor House

Thank you so much to Cape Cod Home for featuring our Chatham Stage Harbor House  in their Spring 2018 issue.  It was a wonderful project to work on with great clients in a beautiful location!

In 2014 we started working with a fabulous client on their new family’s home in downtown Chatham. They bought a small cottage on a charming street right off of Main Street but knew they needed a larger home with a second story to accommodate their family, and extended family. The lot was small, but lovely with old trees and views to stage harbor. We collaborated with the owner’s daughter, an architect in New York city to create a multi-generational home that accommodates their 90 father on a first floor bedroom as well as college kids and extended family.  The main living space is an open living, dining and kitchen with a pantry tucked off it. There’s a screened porch beyond that offers indoor /outdoor living in the summer months.  We tried to use as many windows as possible to keep the space bright and airy. While the street façade has windows, we kept it a little more solid for privacy but the back is a wall of windows overlooking a bluestone patio. Thanks to Cape Cod Magazine for the feature and Dan Cutrona Photography for the amazing shots.  Toby the wheaton terrier stole the show as usual!

Full Article in Cape Cod Home:  Back to the Family

Builder:  Ta LaBarge

Framer:  Matt Andersen - Andersen Framing

Structural Engineer:  Mark McKenzie

Site Engineer:  Clark Engineering

Kitchen & Baths:  Classic Kitchen & Interiors

Windows:  Marvin Integrity - Marvin Design Gallery

Photographer:  Dan Cutrona

Writer:  Haley Cote

Cape Cod Home

Thank you to Cape Cod Home magazine for featuring our interview in the “next wave” feature of their Annual Guide. While it can be hard to self-reflect we are proud of the work we’ve done and feel so fortunate that we get to collaborate with some many great clients, engineers, builders and local vendors.  Cape Cod is a great place to work and we again are so lucky we have designed in many amazing locations and with a wide variety of styles.

 Check out the article here 

Happy Holidays!

Happy Holidays from everyone at A3!!

Best of Boston Home - Boston design center

A3 Architects was excited to attend the Best of Boston Home event Thursday evening at the Boston Design Center in the Seaport District.  We were honored to be named Best of Boston Home 2018 Sustainable Architect and it was wonderful to celebrate with other building and design professionals in such an awesome space. 

The Design center is a revamped historic warehouse built in 1918 – at the interior they have left the structure completely exposed – it was exciting to see the old mushroom cap columns next to the exposed ductwork. 

Thanks to Boston Home for hosting such a wonderful evening and congrats to all the winners!

Best of Boston Home 2018 - Sustainable Architect

A3 Architects was honored to be named Best of Boston Home 2018 for 'sustainable architect' in November.  We continue to be passionate about our commitment to net-zero design- creating buildings that create as much energy as they use.  We are so thankful to have many clients who share this commitment and happily share their energy bills with us!  We appreciate the recognition as we continue to pursue energy efficient projects across the Cape and Islands, and beyond.  

Congratulation to all the winners!  We look forward to celebrating at the Design Center in Boston in December. 

A3 wins 1 Bedroom and 3 Bedroom Category in CCYP Housing Competition

A3 Architects was honored to be awarded first place in both the 1 bedroom and 3 bedroom categories of the Cape Cod Young Professionals design competition for affordable housing on Cape Cod.  We look forward to working with the CCYP to further develop these schemes into permit sets and have them constructed in the future.

The designs are all quite traditional and compact, again to address affordability. We are committed to low energy use homes, so all three were designed to be net-zero possible with the addition of photovoltaic panels.  While affordable housing is an issue on the Cape so are energy prices.  Fixing energy costs goes a long way towards addressing affordability.

Cape Cod Times Article on CCYP Housing Competition