Wilber School Interiors
Sharon, MA
Client
Beacon Communities
Sustainability
LEED for Homes Gold Certified
Energy Star Homes Certified
Program
Renovation and expansion of a historic school into a 75-unit, 105,500 SF apartment complex.
Challenge
Create a welcoming residential community appealing to a wide variety of homebuyers by combining historic elegance with modern amenities, sustainability, and functionality. Protect the school’s historic legacy while modernizing its function in the face of funding and regulatory challenges including active community involvement and the stringent requirements of the National Parks Service.
Solution
PCA worked with the National Parks Service and actively engaged both client and community in the design of a renovation/addition that compliments the existing school in height, materials, scale and aesthetic character while adhering to LEED-certifiable sustainable design standards. Wide hallways, high ceilings, large windows, high-quality materials and close design partnership with Mercedes Farrando of Beacon Concepts LLC lent modern interior luxury to 75 new homes without exceeding the client’s original budget.
Awards
Paul E. Tsongas Preservation
Award, 2012
Preservation Massachusetts
Preservation Award, 2012
Massachusetts Historical Commission
NAA Paragon Award, Specialty Housing – Best Affordable
Community, 2012
National Apartment Association
J. Timothy Anderson Award for Excellence in Historic Rehabilitation, 2010
National Housing & Rehabilitation Association
Annual Historic Preservation
Award, 2010
Sharon Historical Commission