Belmont All Electric 2.0

When a young family relocated to Massachusetts from California, they struggled to find a home that matched the way they wanted to live.

So, they took the next best route. They found a welcoming community, a beautiful plot of land and a collaborative building partner in Auburndale Builders. This combination created a home that is a peaceful haven, with beautiful views of the outdoors from every room, as well as the home everyone wants to visit!

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The key to this project’s success was working with the homeowners to define their approach to the space – open, flowing and flexible – and take risks along the way.

This focus on modularity versus defined spaces allows the home to support the family on a quiet night, as well as host a large group of people for their children’s sports team’s season end dinners – all without needing to rearrange or bring in additional furniture. The commercial, walk-in refrigerator also ensures there is plenty of space for food!

The homeowners’ preference for modern and Scandinavian design shows in the clean lines and natural wood finishes and the large windows that look out to beautiful specimen trees and conservation land.

Rather than feeling austere, a thoughtful approach to organization – an office space off the kitchen, open shelves to display frequently needed items and a built-in niche for extra rolls of toilet paper in a custom concrete bathroom sink – ensures that the house feels warm, welcoming and not cluttered.

Among the many interesting aspects of this home, two thoughtful features stand out. The first is the basement “stuffy station”. This built-in, expansive, bunk area provides a great gathering spot for kids to hang out, play games and generally have fun. Pull out the built-in trundle beds and it’s the perfect place for a kids’ sleep-over after spending time out on the sports court or in the pool – the second outstanding feature.

This super-insulated swimming pool, with a state of the art air to water heat pump, is embraced by the two wings of the home, making it a focal point for entertaining and enjoyment. A series of decks and an outside kitchen allow a seamless indoor/outdoor transition and also enables the family to host a multitude without the house feeling crowded.

For the family, the benefits of building a new home with Auburndale Builders, designed by Zero Energy Design (ZED), were many. They now have an energy efficient, custom home that has the flexibility to support how they live now and in the future. They implemented new, interesting design ideas – a resin floor, for example – and ensured that the house uses the best materials created by local craftspeople. And, as they build more connections in their community – through coaching and volunteering – they have the best house for those season ending parties!