Timeless Architecture

The following five step design process is a useful guide for an integrated design process. Orientation to the site and the local neighborhood, outline access and circulation on site. Review history of property previous schemes as well as natural and cultural landmarks of the neighborhood.

Outline major requirements and programmatic needs of the client and integrate with preliminary notions of budget, construction scheduling and primary concerns of the site.Review of building codes and zoning regulations pertinent to project.

This new home on the Massachusetts / New Hampshire border, sits at the top of a hill looking south over a commanding 180 degree view. The project was accepted into the LEED for Homes Pilot Program administered by Conservation Services Group. Horizon Residential, working in conjunction with Fitchburg Gas and Electric certified the House as an Energy Star Home.

This new Energy Star Home completed in 2004 is located in the Blue Hills of Milton. A serious effort to renovate the existing structures moved to the site from Dorchester in the late 19th century was abandoned due to costs. Starting from scratch, the design maintained the street presence on the north face and angled the building from the road to achieve optimal solar access for the back roof.

This project is an Energy Crafted house that used both active and passive solar energy systems integrated into the high efficiency heating system. The owner of this project, a retired doctor was intent on developing a small-scale co-housing project with shared kitchen facilities and three individual suites.

This concept proposal was conceived and developed by Henry MacLean with faculty colleagues Franziska Amacher and Ambrose Spencer in 1996 while teaching at Wentworth Institute of Technology. It set out a vision for the integration of ecological architecture and planning for the future development of Boston City Hall and it's plaza.