Boiler House

The former Boiler House for the historic Clarke School for the Deaf, this solidly-built masonry building had fallen out of use many years prior to renovation.  It was carefully cleaned and a 2nd interior floor was added.  Large ground floor and arched second floor window openings were preserved with new efficient windows in their place. This project exemplifies how a bright, open modern interior spaces can fit within the historic context of the traditional New England school buildings and campus.

The tall interior space, once home to steam boilers that heated the entire campus, now hosts a second floor with wood stairs and a custom designed metal handrail to the buildings upper two units.  Light fills the new apartments through the new operable energy efficient windows. 

Building on our expertise rehabilitating historic buildings with modern efficient building envelopes, TDA negotiated local, state & national historic reviews to help this renovation earn Historic Preservation Tax Credits.  The completed building is one of a half dozen other buildings from the campus that TDA has helped to renovate for residential and office uses. 

Hubbard Hall

A 1920s administrative and classroom building at the historic Clarke School for the Deaf, Hubbard Hall’s high ceilings and generous windows have been repurposed as high-end residences.  Perched atop Round Hill overlooking downtown Northampton, these luxury apartments boast original historic details, restored and new hardwood floors, fireplaces and upmarket modern amenities. 

The historic masonry building received new insulation at all exterior walls and new double pane windows.  Finish materials and HVAC equipment were selected carefully for efficiency and reliable performance. 

Sustainable features

Energy Efficiency:

• Very high insulation values in walls, roof and foundation

• Double pane energy efficient windows

• Airsealing details

• Energy recovery ventilation

• Digital controls in each room control the heating system.

• Window are used to get natural daylight into as much of the building as possible

Materials:

• All paints & finishes used are low- or no-VOC (volatile organic compounds).

• Locally sourced wood and stone

Conway Street School

TDA worked with the owner/developer to transform an abandoned early 1900’s elementary school building into twelve apartments with very high energy efficiency. This project transformed a derelict building into one of the more iconic and desirable properties in town.

The structure of the three story, 4500 square foot masonry building was in excellent shape, allowing the team to completely gut the interior and begin the redesign with ample freedom also while maintaining the historic character of the building’s exterior.

The reimagined design takes advantage of the tall windows and high ceilings to create spaces that are airy, light and dramatic.  The second floor units each have an upper floor while the even the basement units have plenty of light and space.  The entire project has an emphasis on energy conservation and efficiency features. 

Sustainable features

Energy Efficiency:

• Very high insulation values in walls, roof and foundation

• Triple pane energy efficient windows

• Airsealing details

• Energy recovery ventilation

• Digital controls in each room control the heating system.

• Window shading from solar hot water system

• Window and skylights are used to get natural daylight into as much of the building as possible

 Materials:

• All paints & finishes used are low or no VOC (volatile organic compounds).

• Locally sourced wood and stone

• Interior finishes were chosen for their natural durability, beauty and environmental integrity

180 Earle Street

Smith College and Economic Resources for Women (HER Inc.) formed a partnership to build this new 10,000 square foot house. The building contains 16-single room occupancy units, each with individual kitchenettes and bathrooms. The first floor has a 2-bedroom manager’s apartment as well as a common living room, conference room and laundry room. The building has accessible units and uses green materials like concrete board siding and linoleum flooring. The majority of on-site trees were carefully saved and all storm water runoff was retained on site. The building designed to use energy efficiently and sustainably and received EnergyStar certification.