Kingswood-Oxford Middle School
170 Kingswood Road
Dr. Lee Levinson, Headmaster

(click here for photos)

This magnificent new addition reflects the Georgian style of the other historic buildings on campus. It ingeniously incorporates the original headmaster's house and matches the modified Flemish bond palate of the brickwork. The jurors were impressed by the fine details on this very large building which make it appear smaller and more intimate in keeping with the surrounding early twentieth century residential neighborhood.

Hartford Family Institute
17 South Highland Street
Donna Baker-Gilroy

Juror and Town Planner, Mila Limson, commended this outstanding adaptive reuse project for being the first to apply under the new RCO zoning designation of Residential Character Office. Two residences were converted to office space and joined by a connector that matches the Shingle/Colonial Revival style of the south residence and even duplicates the decorative columns. The interiors of the two buildings also underwent extensive restoration with much of the work being done by Ms. Baker-Gilroy, family, friends, and colleagues. Along the way they educated themselves in the preservation arts and were rewarded with the discovery of original architectural details hidden under layers of unfortunate modern renovations done by previous owners. Turn of the century arches; beams; pillars; wood and tile floors; stained glass and leaded glass windows; a chimney; and even pocket doors were then lovingly refurbished. Future plans include removal of inappropriate aluminum siding from the exterior of the north residence as well as creation of a four season garden using historic plantings and flowers.

1586 Boulevard
William and Kate Wilson

The restoration of this 1915 Colonial Revival house in the Boulevard-Raymond Road Historic District was undertaken by the owners whose careful study of the Historic District Handbook prevented them from making an inappropriate change. The badly weathered shingles on the second story dormer needed replacement and at first the Wilsons thought it would be best to replace them with clapboard to match the rest of the house. Luckily their research revealed that a mix of shingle and clapboard is historically correct so they follwed the guidelines and replaced the shingles. Doing most of the work themselves, Bill and Kate also repaired existing clapboard, rebuilt worn wooden front steps, and replaced overgrown shrubbery with plantings that frame a lovely view of the newly applied grey-blue historic paint color scheme.The jurors were charmed by the fact that Kate Wilson, who grew up just a few steps away at 1616 Boulevard where her mother still resides, has returned to her childhood neighborhood. Welcome home, Kate and BIll!