The crew is charged to make a 1960 mid-century modern home in Lexington, Mass., accessible for an active family of five with a son who has Duchenne, a rare form of muscular dystrophy.
Rebuilding the interior; the architect explains the new accessible design; an accessibility showroom is toured for mobility solutions; a new energy code affects the renovation.
The project house is progressing with an eye toward accessibility and the mid-century modern aesthetic. Geothermal pipes, Wood blocking, The new floor system and Old receptacle boxes in the original brick walls are replaced without damage.
A walking tour of the roof reveals its various pitches; installing a built-in gutter system; rough-in begins on the interior; energy-efficient windows are installed.
Work on the house is divided into phases for efficient workflow; the back foundation gets a stucco finish; kitchen cabinet selection; installing siding; the back patio gets proper drainage.
The slab-on-grade foundation is built up; accessible AV solutions are explored; prep begins for a curbless shower; installing an automatic zero threshold door.
Copper bonding is installed before the therapy pool is craned in; tile selections are revealed; the integrated entrance ramp gets snow melt and a final layer of concrete; elevator disconnects are installed.
Building the elevator cab; using leftover flooring to make a modern feature for the kitchen island; exploring AV solutions for accessibility; installing new solar panels.
Landscape planting begins with screen trees and rose bushes; the children pitch in on a waiting project; the homeowner discuss Duchenne muscular dystrophy; a modern staircase is installed in the foyer.
Vapor barrier electrical boxes take air tightness to the next level; custom lead glass sidelight; exploring various types of weather-resistant barriers; installing drip edge flashing and exterior window trim.
A blower door test reveals the homes airtightness; a baseboard trim gets a radius detail; discussing the borough's effort to maintain its tree-lined streets; installing a prefab tile niche; prepping interior trim for paint finish.
Building a custom mudroom bench from reclaimed wood; the primary bathroom gets a custom paint finish; spring landscaping; installing kitchen crown molding above the cabinets and recessed lighting.
