WEST NEWTON ST

This renovation of an 1870's Urban Row House in Boston's South End, although badly in need of repair, offered several advantages:  It is situated on a wide alley with a deep lot, and has magnificent front-to-rear prospects not normally afforded to an urban house.  This created the opportunity to open the rear wall of the building at the living spaces, not only to gain a few precious square feet but more importantly to take advantage of Eastern and Western light which trace their paths around the life of the house.  The rear wall opens at the dining room, allowing for a quick plein air meal, and in the living room (rear parlor)  the windows create an unusually broad urban panorama. Both floors of the building, which are notoriously starved for natural light are filled with daylight.

The top floors, private and remote from the life of the floors below, take a celestial orientation with the master bath lit alternately by both moon and sun.