We're pulling back the curtain on the Mitton House restoration as part of The Newbury of Brookline premiere senior living facility by Kisco Senior Living. Architect Leah Wolkovich-Quartey discusses her favorite parts of the project and experience working with Robert A.M. Stern Architects, the Design Architect for the project.

Q: What was your role, and what did you do on the project?

I was the Project Architect for the project.

Q: What was your favorite part of working on the Mitton House?

The whole process of seeing the historic structure come back to life was rewarding. If I have to pick something specific, I really enjoyed watching the installation of the slate roof because it’s not a material that gets used very often in new construction and it adds so much to the character of the building.

Q: How did you work with RAMSA to achieve harmony on the campus between your work on a historic renovation next to their new construction?

Adding an elevator to the historic Mitton House was an important decision to help older residents move independently throughout the building but it needed to be designed in such a way that was still in keeping with the character of the original building and the senior living campus as a whole. RAMSA had input on the design of the elevator tower to help ensure that the overall language of the buildings was cohesive. There is also a physical link in the form of a breezeway which was carefully designed in order to bridge the historic to the new.

Q: What did you learn from working with RAMSA?

RAMSA has a keen eye for exterior detail especially related to residential building types. It was nice to have their expertise to make sure both the existing and new structures fit in with the surrounding neighborhood.

Q: How did your role affect your perspective on how the design was created then executed?

I joined the project rather late in the design process. My primary role was during construction, working in the field with the contractors on a regular basis making sure that any issues that arose were resolved in a way that aligned with the overall design intent. This project was different from ones I have worked on in the past because in many ways I was helping execute a vision that I wasn’t originally a part of.

Q: What were some nuances about working on a senior living facility that factored into your decisions during the renovation?

Safety and access were both incredibly important factors. We wanted to make sure that residents had all of the comfort associated with one’s own home/apartment while making sure that everything from doors to drawers and microwaves were easy and safe to use. Finish patterns were also an important consideration especially around stairs and changes in surface planes.