Lincoln Institute of Land Policy

The goal of this renovation and expanded addition of a 19th century wood-framed structure was to create an updated and efficient interior space to house all of Lincoln Institute of Land Policy’s Cambridge employees under one roof in a way that retained the historic character of the original house while modernizing its functionality. We looked to improve circulation by widening corridors and removing redundant stairways. A historic zone was established in the existing house where traditional finishes and details were maintained and restored. In the addition, we utilized transparent glass office fronts to bring daylight into the interior and lowered the elevation of the new basement floor to create higher ceilings. While working with the Cambridge Historic Commission to restore and replace the elements of the structure that are visible from the street or the neighboring Longfellow House, we were able to fully renovate the existing interior. We created a new, larger addition that improved circulation, complete with an accessible “glass box” lobby between the original house and the new addition.