2024 Historic Renovation Winner: Historic Weare Schoolhouse
Listed on the U.S. Register of Historic Places, this 1856 building was a public school until 1952 and a grange hall until the 1980s. Completely stripped inside save for the historic curved wooden staircase, pressed tin ceiling and original hardwood floors, it was a perfect remodeling opportunity for the owners, who designed the existing brick shell to accommodate a three-bedroom, two-and-a-half-bathroom house that also doubles as their architecture office. In addition to the necessary systems and structural work — installing a well, new septic, shoring up the foundations of the additions, new wiring, insulation, dry wall and other — the design team worked hard to retain the historic nature of the original building. The windows were replaced with exact replicas, paint colors were matched, and the belfry refurbished. For interior design, they chose an eclectic mixture of the original, such as leaving some of the brick walls exposed, along with a bit of art deco styling and some modern touches.
What the judges said: This renovation looks like fun. The well-placed and simple insertion of the home program continues to allow one to appreciate the history and details of the former schoolhouse.
Read the full story about this spectacular home here.
Inscription Architects
Weare, NH
603-851-6100
inscriptionarchitects.com
