1/10/12
Smith-Stanwood House
We are looking forward to working with Clarke Associates to restore the Smith-Stanwood House on historic North Main Street, Ipswich. It has long been known as the ca. 1747 Ebenezer Stanwood House but local historian Sue Nelson found that at least one precursor structure approximately dated 1639 existed on the site and that the Sparks Tavern also operated there between 1671 and 1691. Could it be that the Sparks Tavern, where John Sparks was licensed to sell “beer at a penny a quart”, still survives in the present building?
Sutton House is a Mary P. Conley Award Nominee!
The Capt. Sutton House was originally owned by Moses Pengry in 1677 with the front of the property used as a shipyard along the Ipswich River. This home, located at the corner of two of the most historic streets in the country: Summer Street and Water Street, has been completely restored by Cummings Architects and James Whidden and is a 2011 Mary P. Conley Award nominee. This award, presented each year by the Ipswich Historical Commission, is granted to a property that displays significant contributions to the preservation of Ipswich history.
Our Topsfield Barn Conversion is Underway!
This is another project along a historic streetscape to benefit from reuse. This ca. 1800 barn has been largely unused for years but will soon function as a carriage garage, amazing living space, and unique master suite.
12/19/11
Season's Greetings from all of us at Cummings Architects!
7/19/11
Lummus House (Rebuilt ca. 1746)
With the restoration complete, the home is now being painted a stunning yellow. Kudos to the owner for taking on such an expansive and important restoration; thanks for allowing us to be your architect. All of the original features have been preserved and it contains one of the nicest kitchens imaginable.
Main St. Rowley
Another amazing property we had the opportunity to design. The project was intended to bring new businesses and living spaces to downtown Rowley while preserving the Reindeer Tavern (ca. 1790) and Evan’s Building. We know the project will contribute greatly to the already wonderful and bustling downtown Rowley.
Special thanks to contractor/ developer Ken Hamilton of Infiniti Construction and to the town of Rowley for giving us the opportunity to make a difference.
White Horse Inn (ca. 1658)
Although this project has been shown before, we recently had wonderful professional photographs taken and could not resist sharing the results.
Barn Conversion
Another barn conversion in the works! Interns Kevin and Sandra get the project started by measuring all the details. More photos are sure to come from this great project.
Eliza H. Perley House (ca. 1840)
Often the most beautiful creations are able to fit naturally into their surroundings, seeming to have always existed. This was the design concept for creating such an authentic barn and little house addition.
7/8/11
Alexander Knight House
Mat working on the 1657 Alexander Knight House.
He worked on the chimney posts and taught his young apprentice (son Liam) how to use a wooden mallet.
6/10/11
Welcome Kate!
Cummings Architects welcomes our 2011 Summer intern Kate! She joins us from Tufts University where she studies engineering and architecture. This summer she can be found helping around the office, scheduling our Lunch & Learns, working with Kevin at measure-ups and drawing As-Builts.
Our Andover Addition is Complete!
Set on a hillside, this sunroom and patio addition provides plenty of space for enjoying the outdoors; why go anywhere else?
5/31/11
Spring has come and we are working hard on many wonderful projects ranging from a new home in Lynnfield, to a sporting goods store, and an exciting restoration of an 18th century barn.
1/17/11
We hope everyone had a great 2010 and that 2011 is even better!
We would also like to thank everyone for their continuous support which allows us to practice architecture at the highest level possible. We will continue into the next year with the same goal as when we started the firm 12 years ago; to use architecture as a means to change people’s lives for the better.
Josiah Prime House ca. 1753
The Josiah Prime House is one of our next exciting major historic renovation projects! More details to come, once the snow melts…
Winchester Victorian Home
We are finishing up the third and final phase to a beautiful Winchester Victorian home, just in time for Spring construction.
Check out the article in Old House Journal!
Rowley Project Update
It has been a cold winter for the guys working on the Rowley Project, but construction has started and we are fired up about it! Mat can be seen here with the developer of the project, Ken Hamilton from Infinity Construction and Forest, Ken’s dog.
Front Porch Project in Winchester, MA
We have just finished an amazing front porch design in Winchester! Cummings Architects is adding a little green to this turn of the century home and no we don’t just mean the paint color. This south facing porch made of Native woods will not only add life to the existing home but will take it in to the future with this sustainable “green” porch.
Neocolonial Style Renovation, Ipswich, MA
We have just finished up wonderful Design Drawings for a Neocolonial Style renovation right here in Ipswich!
12/20/10
Happy Holidays from Cummings Architects.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the Cummings team!
9/1/10
Alexander Knight House
After much hard work the timber frame for the Alexander Knight House is going up! Mathew Cummings, in conjunction with the Alexander Knight House Team are one step closer to having their 100% authentic, Ipswich style, one room home built. The Alexander Knight House Team are donating the house to the Ipswich Museum. Alexander Knight would have been proud to call this his home in 1657.
For more information visit www.ipswichknighthouse.org
Windhill Building
The Windhill building is complete! Windhill Realty is enjoying their new space; designed and built to meet their individual needs. The structure is a well balanced blend of modern functionality and historic sentiment. Located on Market Street in downtown Ipswich, the historic façade is a beautiful addition to the streetscape and we know it will spur an architectural renewal of the downtown area. We are proud of this beautiful addition to downtown Ipswich and suggest you check out the new building in person.
New Additions to the Team
We are excited to have another summer intern! Dylan who is an Ipswich High School intern, has been a huge help around the office. He’s been busy organizing the Lunch & Learns, working with Kevin on measure-ups, as well as a host of other tasks that keep the office running smoothly. Dylan is sad to be leaving us in just a few short weeks but has learned the “variety of things an architect has to do, besides design.”
Along with Dylan we have another addition to the Cummings Architects team, Mary. Mary is a full-time student at the Boston Architectural College at night and can be found in the day time working here; keeping the office organized, providing support and producing this lovely newsletter. We are so lucky to have her!
Rowley Crossing
Our downtown Rowley project has been approved and is ready to start construction. We know that the design will preserve a major block in downtown Rowley and will breathe new life in to the historic district with shops and places for people to live.
2/15/10
Old House Journal Features Cummings Architects
Cummings Architects was featured in the December issue of Old House Journal for our design of a Queen Anne Victorian in Winchester, Mass. The article can be viewed on line, or to view the entire gallery please visit our portfolio.
Classic Cape Cod Remodel
Take a look at the transformation this cape has undergone. The first phase of this project was completed 8 years ago and recently, phase two—the kitchen/dining room/mudroom—have been redesigned with storage and family living in mind. We hear the family is well on their way to breaking in the new kitchen! Visit our portfolio to see the entire transformation.
Daniel Lummus House: Almost Completed and Newsworthy (Again!)
Construction is almost done! Recently the First-Period hall fireplace made news in North Shore Living Magazine thanks to its unique feature, the inglenook. The Lummus House’s inglenook is possibly the only original First-Period one in New England, and perhaps all of America. The word inglenook is of Scottish origin, from ingle for “house fire burning in a hearth,” and nook meaning “any small recess.”
12/20/09
Youngest Member of Cummings Team Celebrates Birthday
Liam Cummings, the genius behind Cummings Architects, celebrates his second birthday in December! When interviewed about the reasons behind his early success, he cooed through a mouthful of cake, “Mommy and Daddy.”
11/2/09
New Addition to Cummings Architects
We’re proud to welcome Kevin Tedesco as the newest member of our architectural firm. We’re proud to have him not just because he’s a fine, young designer, but also because he’s an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran. Kevin is hoping that through architecture work at Cummings Architects, he can continue to change people’s lives for the better, this time closer to home.
Restoration of Greek-Style Townhouse in Newburyport is Complete!
This Greek townhouse in Newburyport was once housing for the Ocean Mills Cotton mill. When we first saw it, the two-bedroom, one-and-a-half-bath home was still a dark, uninspired 1980s remodel, complete with drop ceilings and open kitchen cabinets. The homeowner, as active in the Newburyport Historical scene, appreciated the history of her home and wanted it returned to its former glory. The reclaimed wood, custom kitchen cabinets, and wide-plank pine floors are some of the specific items that contribute to the revival of this old townhouse.
9/1/09
Ben Plottner; Summer Intern
A big architectural thanks to our summer intern, Ben Plottner. He spent the season doing everything from drafting to taking out the trash—and he did it all to learn what it would really be like to work in an architecture firm. Ben can be seen here learning about the summer beam repairs for the First-Period Daniel Lummus House restoration.
Alexander Knight House Update
Mat and the Alexander Knight house team are in the process of constructing the stone foundation for the Alexander Knight House. The home is a re-creation of an early, English-style timber frame from 1657, as described in Ipswich town records. This is an ongoing, live exhibit; built with traditional tools, materials and construction methods of the First Period (1625–1725). All of the work is being done by hand, the old way. Who says an architect’s profession is limited to the office? Not only has Mat provided plans for the house, but he is physically building the stone foundation with the Tim Chouinard of C.H.S. Landscape Concepts and the AKH team. For more information see ipswichknighthouse.org.
2/4/09
Pax Massage, Located in the Ipswich Crossing Plaza
Pax Massage is the 2nd therapeutic massage center that Cummings Architects has had the pleasure to design. Construction on the day spa, which has a green architecture theme, will begin in March and be completed by the beginning of the fall. We look forward to showing this green project to everyone after its completion.
First Period Alexander Knight House
Mathew Cummings, in conjunction with Jim Whidden of James Whidden Woodwright, LLC and the Alexander Knight House Team www.ipswichknighthouse.org will be building a 100% authentic, Ipswich-style, one-room colonial house for the Ipswich Museum. The Team is donating their time to this structure to say thank you to the Ipswich Museum, the town of Ipswich, and all preservationists.
11/19/08
Mat Cummings Gets Green on Youtube
Restoring old houses is a green endeavor. Here, Ipswich architect Mat Cummings wonders why people remove 200-year-old windows and replace them with vinyl windows that come with a 15-year warranty.
Click here to view this video on YouTubeWork On Lummus House Begins
IPSWICH – If you’ve driven along Ipswich’s “Old House Row” on High Street, you’ve probably noticed a flurry of people and equipment coming and going from the Daniel Lummus House. Mathew believed the house at 39-41 High, owned by Al Boynton and Kathy Bruce, to be first period; this was later validated by local experts. The couple has embarked on an ambitious renovation of the property, designed to restore and preserve those elements. In the lead-up to Ipswich’s 375th anniversary celebration, the Chronicle will follow their progress… Read More.
11/11/08
Cummings Architects and All Construction Team Win 2008 CotY Gold Award
Cummings Architects in conjunction with All Construction won the 2008 “CotY” Gold Award for a Residential Addition over $200,000 for a project located in West Newbury. Several of our projects were nominated including our Custom-Design New Oceanfront Home located in Wells, Maine. Mat is seen here with the entire All Construction crew: Dan Thornell, Sandi Catino, Mike Harrison, Nelson Miller, Mike Bonia, and Sean Scanlon (accepting the award).
11/5/08
The Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference has Invited Us Back!
Last year Mat and Jim Whidden of James Whidden Woodwright presented “Old House Restoration: How to Do it the Right Way” to a packed room at the Traditional Building Exhibition and Conference. Demand for our seminar was so high that the Conference has invited us back. Whether you own an old home or would like to build a new “old” home, Mat’s seminar is a worthwhile educational piece for any enthusiast.
Custom Designed Ocean Front Home
This private residence located in Wells, Maine was recently completed by All Construction and Remodeling, Inc. The home is sited to take advantage of the panoramic ocean view and constructed out of natural materials pay homage to its setting. Our design was nominated to the National Association of the Remodelers Association to be considered for an award for building excellence. See our portfolio for more photos.
Liam Excited About Shingle Style Addition on Neck
Our intern Liam is back in the office working on several projects. He recently completed a set of plans for a shingle style addition for a home on Great Neck in Ipswich. Liam took a brief break from drawing to crawl around on the floor, rearrange the books on the lowest shelf, and chew on a piece of paper.
9/10/08
Conley Award Goes to Day-Dodge House
The Ipswich Historical Commission recently presented the Mary P. Conley Preservation Award to the ca. 1737 Day-Dodge House, located at the top of North Main Street, and the owners who had the property restored. Local architect Mat Cummings and woodwright Jim Whidden worked on the project. Read the full story here.
59th First Period house identified in Ipswich
Ipswich’s 59th known First Period house was discovered by Mathew earlier this year and will soon be restored by Al Boynton and Kathy Bruce with the help of Cummings Architects. Read the full story here.
Custom Garage Addition to Historic McIntire House, Ipswich, MA
The main house, “The McIntire House” ca. 1840, was restored by Cummings Architects 12 years ago. The client then asked us to design a garage addition that would blend in with the existing architecture of the home. The concept for the garage was to design a period carriage house with an indigenous feel of the neighborhood and in context of the original home.
Mat Works on the Building Code
Mathew started the Residential Design Committee at the Boston Society of Architects in order to monitor the always-evolving Massachusetts residential building codes. Recently, the Board of Building Regulations and Standards has made revisions to the building code that affect the design of additions and new homes. Some examples of these BBRS revisions prevent the design of cathedral ceilings without major engineering work; another states that bedroom windows must be twice as large as previous acceptable.
Some of the code revisions decrease the life, safety and welfare of homes for owners. Others decrease freedoms of homeowners to do what they want with their homes without increasing safety. Wish Mat luck as he gets re-involved with the Residential Design Committee to try to repeal some of the recent changes that decrease life, safety, and welfare of the homeowner and allow for freedom of homeowners to add to their houses as well as build new ones.
5/2/08
Old House Restoration: How to Do it the Right Way
Mat and Jim Whidden spoke to a full house (and were a hit!) at the Traditional Building Show. They presented their seminar to a crowd of architects, engineers, contractors, homeowners, and historic preservation experts. Originally the seminar had 50 people scheduled to attend, but before the seminar began more than 120 people had packed in to hear Old House Restoration: How to Do it the Right Way.