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          

A3 Architects named finalist in Cape Cod Young Professional’s affordable housing competition

We were thrilled that the local non-profit Cape Cod Young Professionals announced a design competition for affordable housing on Cape Cod this summer.  Affordable housing continues to be a major issue for all who live on the Cape.  We have had the privilege of working with the Community Development Partnership to develop 12 units of affordable housing for Harwich several years ago, but we were excited to focus on the issue again for the competition.  We submitted 3 designs – a 500 SF affordable unit, an 1100 SF 2-bedroom unit and a 1600 SF 3 bedroom unit which were all named finalists. 

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.

See all the finalists:

 http://www.capecodyoungprofessionals.org/ccyp-housing-design-contest/view-contest-finalists

The finalists will be displayed at the CCYP’s annual back to business bash in Hyannis this evening.  We are so excited to develop these schematics and hope it helps move the conversation forward on the need for affordable housing on Cape Cod.

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Out for a walk in Dennis Village

A3 Architects is located in the heart of Dennis Village in a historic building from the 1830s.  Before we moved from our office in Brewster to our current location, we didn’t know much about this part of the cape.  It has been wonderful to explore all the hidden (and not so hidden) gems in the area and we thought we would take a moment to highlight a few of our favorite stops. 

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Our favorite places to grab a bite to eat:

The Mercantile

Fun little sandwich shop located behind the post office.  It is easy to run in and out for a quick sandwich (or call ahead during their busy summer months)  Everything on the menu is great, but we suggest the jimmy tuna on oatmeal bread and maybe a cookie…

The Underground Bakery

Located in the same plaza as the Merc – they have great coffee, fun sweet treats, and awesome atmosphere

 

Encore Bistro and Bar

This little bistro is located on the grounds of the Cape Playhouse and is a lovely setting for an eat-in business lunch. 

Sesuit Harbor Café

This one isn’t within walking distance, but it is probably a five minute drive from our office and a great location to sit outside and enjoy a lobster roll by the water.  Open during the summer months

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Dennis Village might be small, but it has some great little boutiques

Deep BLUE

Deep BLUE is owned by Amy Mason –she is an illustrator and designer with her own line of cards, graphics, and fabrics that are showcased in the store.  She also carries an array of furnishings, art, jewelry – seriously – We always stop in when we are looking for gifts and somehow leave having bought ourselves something as well!  (Also ,we love her blue barn doors  on the exterior of the Deep Blue shop-  such a fun pop of color on 6A!)

Scout

This little shop is precious.  The owner goes to Paris every year to shop for unique items for the store.  Scout has an array of home furnishings, textiles, and jewelry with a Parisian flair that you won’t find anywhere else (…at least on this side of the Atlantic!). 

Also,  if you’re on the cape in December, be sure to check out her shop—she decorates it to the nines for the holiday seasons!

Elburne

Elburne is a newcomer to Dennis Village and we are very excited about the addition of this new boutique.  They specialize in reclaimed, recycled, and sustainable home décor….. Right up our alley!

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A few of the special places in Dennis village

The beaches:  Corporation Beach, Mayflower Beach, and Chapin Beach

It goes without saying since we are located on Cape Cod that the beaches are a highlight. 

The whole cape has beautiful beaches, but our office is located within a mile of Corporation Beach which makes for a fun run out to the beach and back during our warmer months.  Mayflower Beach and Chapin Beach are also beautiful spots.

Corporation Beach

photo from the Cape Cinema

The Cape Cinema

We are located directly across from the Cape Cinema and when we moved to our office a few years back… none of us really knew how special it was to be located across from this landmark.

The claim to fame: 

The Cape Cinema (then the Cape Playhouse) opened in the 1930 and was one of three cinemas to preview the Wizard of Oz before its Hollywood premier.  Oh and the other claim to fame…its ceiling.  There is a 6,400 square foot mural designed by Rockwell Kent in the art deco style.  It in itself is worth the trip, but the cinema hosts a wide array of shows (really something for everyone) from the most recent Indie film to the Met Opera to the Ballet and my personal favorite – during the summer they will host a few indie music concerts.  AND you get to watch it all in a beautiful space.  Win-win

Scargo Tower

It is a random, 30 foot tall cobblestone tower located at the top of Scargo Hill.  There are a couple of things that make this a worthwhile stop:

1. You did hear us say:  it is a random, 30 foot tall cobblestone tower located at the top of Scargo Hill.  The oddity of that should be enough of an allurement alone.  Seriously – it makes you feel like you’re in a fairytale. 
2. The views.  From the top of the tower, you are afforded beautiful views of Scargo lake below and Cape Cod Bay beyond.  The view is beautiful year round, but particularly specialduring peak leaf season in the fall and in winter after a snowfall.

A little History and a few fun facts: (thank you Wikipedia!)

1. There have been 3 Scargo Towers in the same spot.  The first one was constructed in 1874; it was wood and well-the cape is a windy place so it didn’t last too long.  The second tower was built in 1900, also out of wood, but it burned down. Since we all learn by iteration – the third was built out of cobblestones and it is what we see today.  It was constructed in 1901. 
2. One other random fact.  The mason, who did the stonework for the tower, also constructed the stone wall in front of the A3/E2 Solar offices. 

This was fun highlighting some of our local favorite stops – we might just have to do future blog posts on other cape town’s and our favorite places to stop.  We do project all over the cape and always enjoy wandering around!  Be sure to let us know if you have any favorite places we should check out – always love finding spots!

National Library week: A few of the Cape's best

April 9-15 is National Library week. On the Cape are so lucky to have a library in almost every village.  The CLAMs network is an AMAZING network that connects all the Cape libraries online.  It is difficult to pick just a few libraries to highlight, because there are so many special spaces, but here are a few of our favorites.

South Dennis Library

The winner for the cutest library on cape definitely goes to the South Dennis Library.  The building (nicknamed , “the little library”) was constructed in 1856 at the height of the American Gothic style and features quintessential gingerbread details from the ornate latticework eaves, to the Gothic pointed windows, and inlay clover trim detail. 

Accounts of the buildings exact origins differ-- some say it was moved from another site on Cape or even possibly the Vineyard before it found its home in South Dennis.   Others say it was built by a resident of the town, or maybe even a gift.  In 1918 it was Jonathan Matthews, a sea captain, who bought the cottage for the town to use as a library. 

South Dennis Library Website:  http://www.southdennislibrary.org/

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Jacob Sears Memorial Library

The library was built in 1895 by long time East Dennis resident, Jacob Sears.  It is located in the heart of Dennis village and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009.  There are two distinguishing architectural features that make this building especially unique.  The first is the covered entry porch with adjacent polygonal turret.  The wraparound steps leading up to the front door with flanking supporting columns and large brackets makes for a beautiful procession into the space.  The second feature is the 3 floor to ceiling doghouse dormers that articulate the front facade of the building. 

Jacob Sears Memorial Library Website:  http://www.jacobsearslibrary.org/

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Eastham Library

Eastham has a new library that opened this past fall and is a modern interpretation of the Cape Cod architectural style. The interior spaces are bright and modern with beautiful views of the pond beyond.  The exterior of the building is clad in the cape’s vernacular trademark:  cedar shingles and clapboard.  A lovely courtyard sits adjacent to the entry corridor and main reading spaces – we look forward to seeing how this space changes though the seasons.   The original one-room library from 1898 sits at the front of the site and is now a quiet reading space.

Eastham Library Website:  www.easthamlibrary.org

Corner Window Detail

Corner Shingle Detail & Window SIll

Courtyard Space