Slocum Hall Design Group Honored with Newton Preservation Award

Slocum Hall Design Group was recently selected for a Newton Preservation Award by Historic Newton and the Newton Historical Commission for the design of a residential addition on Forest Avenue. The panel of judges noted Slocum Hall’s design as “a thoughtful addition that uses the details and materials of the existing house to balance the asymmetry of the original composition nicely.” Awards were given Wednesday, November 12th at a ceremony honoring several local recipients for their commitment to Newton’s historic preservation.

To preserve the historic integrity of the home on Forest Ave, Slocum Hall Design Group used materials that accurately matched the time period and replicated details found on the original house to seamlessly integrate the old with the new. This included harvested brick from the original house in the new addition to create a consistent look and feel. The home is now in its second full century, with a modern addition that honors its ties to the past.

“The challenges we faced were ones that we face on any old house project. Houses of this vintage can be a Pandora’s box once you open the walls and see how it was constructed almost 100 years ago,” commented Leah Cohen Lamkin, Slocum Hall’s newly appointed partner.

“Slocum Hall Design Group is dedicated to the preservation of New England’s treasured antique homes and living history,” added David Boronkay, founder, principal, and partner. “We felt that this project exemplified what the award is intended to highlight – bringing an old home into the modern era while safeguarding the unique features and architecture from its past.“