Intown Upgrade

The owners of this historic building in the West End of Portland had a very clear idea of what they wanted when redesigning their apartment. They worked with a local building science and design expert and MA Builders to make the home more energy-efficient and to isolate sounds to and from the other units. By removing many walls, ceilings and floors, revamping all the electrical, plumbing, heating and other systems, we created an entirely new home.

On top of this new structure we added hardwood flooring in the bedrooms and halls as well as custom heated tile floor and showers in bathrooms. We were presented with the challenge of tucking the washer/dryer into a small closet along with all the venting and plumbing that goes with it. With creativity and ingenuity, we did just that, as well as adding anti-vibration padding underneath. Also, since the apartment was on the second floor, we had to be very careful with the waste removal and dust we created, and be conscious of construction sounds created and their effect on neighbors who both worked from home. By taking extra measures to reduce sound we were able to minimize our impact in this area. Other details were large crown molding, rustic pre-finished maple floors and doors which were based on the building’s historic character. The result speaks for itself.