Asian Inspiration | Addition | Lexington

Story

Our client, a professor of Japanese sociology at Harvard, owned a Deck House home with its post-and-beam construction and 1950s modernist simplicity. She asked Feinmann to design a multi-purpose addition to meet several needs: a functional yet spacious home office, a beautiful entryway into the home, and a serene sitting area.

The client mentioned she has always wanted a Japanese “scholar’s study,” which is traditionally a contemplative workspace area enclosed by shoji screens. We told her the Japanese minimalism she desired and the clean modernist aesthetic of her existing home could marry quite nicely (the blending of East and West) with some thoughtful interventions.

The challenge then became finding a way to balance these styles. Surrounded by many trees, bringing nature into the home was easily achieved through careful placement of windows throughout the addition. But the design element that brought it all together was the large translucent wall (Kalwall) in the main hallway. This unique material allows for diffused natural light to envelop the living spaces. It has the same insulating properties as a typical exterior wall and therefore is considered to be a great “green” building material. It is also quite versatile, and we were able to customize it to give our accent wall the Japanese feel of a shoji screen.

We reiterated this design element with actual shoji screens to enclose the scholar’s study, which also doubles as a guest room. Post-and-beam construction was continued from the existing house through the new addition in order to preserve aesthetic continuity.

Awards

2007 Gold PRISM Award – Best Remodeling/Restoration under $250,000

2007 Best of the Best Design Award – Residential Addition for Best Project Under $250,000

2007 Remodeling Design Merit Award – Residential Addition $100-250K

2007 Regional NARI Contractor of the Year Award – Residential Addition

2006 EM NARI CotY Award – Best Addition Over $100K

Testimonial

I wanted a certain feeling and the Feinmann architect really got it. I had already been through three different architects – one even said the house was a teardown.

Let There Be Light

We loved having entire Feinmann team in our home and appreciated them treating it like it was their own. The work they did is all over-the-top gorgeous. They coached us to select products and finishes that will last a lifetime (and through our toddler), and the craftsmanship with which it was all executed certainly will hold up to time. I admire daily the integration of existing and new, and regret only that in time I’ll likely forget which is which. Feinmann is masterful at what they do. I really can’t say enough nice things about them, and their work.

- Cambridge, MA

From start to finish of the project our ideas were heard and creatively addressed. The quality of the final results are even better than we imagined. Our home feels completely new and we love the improved living space! As far as the team, they are fantastic, personable, timely, has great ideas and always seem to stay calm and in charge, ready to problem solve. The carpenters are a delight to work with and the quality of their carpentry and building skills are impressive, always smiling and offering a “can do” attitude.

- Leveling Up for Grand Entertaining

Feinmann is a top-notch company in every category! We have worked with them on three separate occasions: a complete kitchen remodel (2017), three bathrooms (2016), and a room addition (2011). Working with the Feinmann team was truly a great pleasure! Everyone in the company is committed to quality work, the projects were run proficiently and professionally, they provided the highest quality workmanship, and we always received timely responses to our questions and concerns. My wife and I would consider no-one else for our new project!

- European, Contemporary Kitchen Remodel

We are very happy with the experience we had with Feinmann in what was a pretty extensive remodel. First of all, their design team truly developed a great vision for the house, beyond what we had imagined. Through the remodel, which by its nature is an arduous process (living without a kitchen for a while), the Feinmann team was very collaborative and supportive, managed well and the results have truly transformed our house. We’re extremely happy with the outcome.

- Hosting Haven Meets Artistic Angles

Feinmann took a real interest in building a kitchen that would fit the design of the house and meet our needs. That was when we knew that they were the best choice for us. Anyone can rip out a kitchen and put in some new counters and cabinets, but we wanted someone who cared about design, style, and function.

- White, Waves and Blue Kitchen