PROJECT NAME: Diastole Wealth Management

PROJECT TYPE: Renovation of professional office space

PROJECT CONTEXT:  The project sits just off the south end of the historic Guilford Green. The Second Empire residence had been converted to offices in the early 80’s. The exterior of the home had been well maintained, but the interior had lost most of its historic content through earlier renovations.  

PROJECT LOCATION: Guilford, CT

PROJECT COMPLETION:  Summer 2008

PROJECT PROGRAM:  Diastole is an independantly owned, Guilford based wealth management firm, which saw the location and grandeur of this historic structure as an ideal location. They hoped to return the residential character and detail to the interior spaces through the renovation, knowing that their clientele would feel comfortable in this environment. The time line for the project was very compressed, so the project was fast tracked with design and construction happening simultaneously.

DESIGN SOLUTION:  We had 3200 sf of usable space on the lower two floors with an additional 1200 sf of space in a residential apartment in the third floor mansard roof. Little of the original layout of the home remained after the 1980’s renovation. We worked to keep the fire stairs and the exterior window and door locations to minimize costs. We created open central receptions areas on 2 levels surrounded by offices on the outside walls. Light is borrowed through double French doors. This gives a very open feel to the plan with the ability to close the offices for privacy when meeting with clients. A conference room off the front entry was detailed in keeping with the historic millwork trim providing convenient access from the rear parking entry. A small hall off the front entry leads to a kitchenette, accessible bath and mechanical and storage room. The third floor had a large kitchen and eating area which is used for lunches and office gatherings. The apartment use is maintained for housing out of town employees and clients.

Outside, we brought the existing character of the house back to life. The over grown foundation plantings were removed to expose the building to the street. The porches and exterior finishes were patched and repaired. A new rear entry ramp was added to meet current accessibility requirements. The exterior colors were chosen to be confident and complement the original bracket and trim work on the structure.

All new mechanical and electrical systems were added in the building with a new high-efficiency oil-fired boiler with 3 remote air handlers. Insulation was upgraded where accessible. New electrical systems were added with energy-efficient lighting throughout. New telecommunications, security and fire systems were added to meet the office needs.

MATERIALS:  The exterior of the building was in surprisingly good shape, having been completely renovated in the 1980’s. The aluminum replacement windows added at that time had failed so we installed new full insert replacement units by Marvin. The units were aluminum clad with simulated divided lights which provided a good weather seal without the need for storm windows. The roof was replaced with an architectural asphalt shingle cut like a slate to emphasize the gambrel roof lines.