Wilber School Interiors

Client

Beacon Communities

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