Essex, CT; Private Client
This project revitalized the historically significant, dilapidated 1920 Dickinson Boathouse at the foot of Main Street in Essex, CT. The 1,000 square foot building now serves as a bright, inviting dockside retreat with a sitting area, powder room, and small kitchen, separated by a sliding door from the street-facing garage.

The new design focused on enhancing openness through forced perspective, reflected light, and visual connections to the river. The redesign removed the dividing wall, retaining the chimney—now painted reflective white—as a focal point in the expanded living area. Angled kitchen and bathroom walls subtly direct the eye toward the river. A custom “compass rose” ceiling design and angled counters reinforce these visual lines while maintaining the existing language and proportions of the historic beadboard and trim, which were reused wherever feasible.

The original exterior trim details were painstakingly replicated, while the roof and shingles were updated with contemporary materials that respect the building’s historic integrity. The result is a design that preserves the boathouse’s historic character while elevating its aesthetic, creating a sophisticated space for dockside gathering and entertainment.

photography by Millie Yoshida

New Haven, CT; City of New Haven, client
The Urban Canopy Parklet is the first example of a parking space transformed into an ecological classroom open to anyone and everyone in the city of New Haven, CT.  Designed as a gateway to deeper experiences with urban nature for a traditionally underserved community, the parklet abstracts the shapes of the city’s most prominent tree species into beautiful canopies built with recycled wood of former street trees, with tables, seating, and signage in English and Spanish.

This unique public space was built by volunteers, including families, students from local colleges, and Emerge Youth Build, a program that teaches construction skills to at-risk youth. All materials used were reclaimed, and all cladding and furniture came from former street trees. The table tops are made from urban maple, ash, oak, and elm wood. The cladding is white oak, as are all glue laminated columns and seatbacks. The parklet is modular and can be easily disassembled and stored over the snow season. It is meant to be a permanent public park that can be placed in a new location every year by the city of New Haven. 

Westbrook, CT; Private client
This project transformed a cramped beach cottage kitchen into a light-filled, spacious area for gathering and meal making. By strategically removing walls and reconfiguring the floor plan, the renovation connected the cottage's living, cooking, and outdoor dining spaces.