B+A Greater Boston

Imperceptible to the typical onlooker, however, are the small details that, pieced together, begin to tell the house's protracted tale and endured hardship. Even the sturdiest of homes require upkeep and most, over their lifespan, will require renovation in order to keep them livable by current standards. Atop that tall order, add a commitment to maintain the original aesthetic and the distinguished skill and competency necessary to do so. This enterprise requires professionals well-studied in architectural and building history, practiced in building dissection, and experienced in their salvage, restoration and reconstruction. It was with that knowledge, when conceiving the sizable restoration of the namesake's birthplace, that the Abigail Adams Historical Society sought out Essex Restoration for the job. Essex Restoration is a residential custom build and remodeling company, offering clients over 250 years of combined experience in carpentry, building, historic preservation and remodeling. "If we're going to build it, we should build it right. My team always considers that any one of their jobs should endure for a Century," offers Essex Owner Walter Beebe-Center. "We want our houses to persevere; that is what sets us apart." "Essex was a great choice as GC. I'd known Walter previously from a beautiful renovation he'd done on a mutual friends' older home. Then we ran into each other at a high-performance building workshop, and I realized his passions for both historic architecture and high-performance building made Essex a natural fit for this project. Walter was an enthusiastic supporter of my vision for the house, and clearly relished the challenges that come with a renovation of this scale and complexity. The entire Essex team—from project manager to office staff—pulled together to produce an extraordinary home." —Steve Snider From a 100-year-old farmhouse to a beautiful luxurious LEED Platinum award-winning home. The living room mantel and beams were created from salvaged lumber. 8 | BOSTON.BUILDERARCHITECT.COM Builder+Architect GREATER BOSTON, CAPE COD AND THE ISLANDS COVER FEATURE

• Cover