Cape Associates was recognized on October 6th by The Builders and Remodelers Association of Greater Boston (BRAGB) at the annual PRISM Awards, which acknowledges the finest projects and outstanding achievements of builders, developers, project owners, architects, land planners, marketing/advertising firms, interior designers, remodelers, and other professionals in the
home building industry.
Cape Associates won gold in the category of Best Remodeling/Restoration over $1 Million and was recognized as trailblazer in their field.
The unique home—originally designed by Finnish architect Olav Hammarstrom in 1952 for fellow architect Eero Saarinen—received its first transformation in decades. Still in its 1950s skin, it was completely gutted, inside and out.
Perched on a rise of land and overlooking the tranquil Wellfleet Herring Pond, the home initially appears split, with the guest house on the left, and the main house of the right, but both ends are connected with a breezeway. The bones of the home were in good shape, but many upgrades and replacements were necessary to bring it up to date.
New siding, roofing, gutters, insulation and mechanical systems were all replaced. Doors and windows with metal frames were custom made by a company in Long Island that fabricates doors for office buildings. Modern heating and cooling systems were added, and the three bathrooms were all updated.
The attention to detail in retaining the 50s-style look took a lot of online searching, from handles and knobs to lighting fixtures, with bits and pieces arriving from all over the world, including a doorstop from New Zealand. High-end appliances were purchased to modernize the kitchen and all of the old cabinetry was removed, replaced and refaced with NUVACOR, a versatile surfacing material that not only provided a sleek, modern look, but added convenience and ease of use.
Bare, wood-beamed ceilings throughout give a nod to the home’s natural surroundings, while the main living area (formerly a fisherman’s cabin), with a brick fireplace, was completely trimmed in walnut, while multiple windows of varying sizes welcome sunlight to brighten the home. Here, the sheetrock ceiling with faux rafters provides an interesting and room-brightening feature.
Behind the house sits the serene pond, which can now be enjoyed from the stunning new deck. Here, decking material was not laid out side by side, as it typically is but, instead, meticulously laid out on edge, creating an unusual and eye-catching effect. A railing of tempered glass panels allows unobstructed views of the surrounding natural beauty, and keeps consistent with the open, airy feel of the place. A new outdoor shower is accessible via the deck and left open to the wilderness and the pond below, completing the bold yet sophisticated feeling of this retro-modern home.
Renovation Architects: SPG Architects, view their website here.
Cape Associates team: Mark Kinnane, Executive Oversight; Jon Ziperman, Project Manager; Ralf Creech, Foreman
