The second published work from celebrated classical architect Patrick Ahearn, History Reinterpreted showcases the reimagination of the north wing of the 1871 Myles Standish Hotel in Duxbury, Massachusetts, detailing the process of its dramatic transformation into a grand dame seaside estate. The step-by-step architectural metamorphosis unfolds from cover to cover, fascinating anyone who has ever wondered “what if” about a once vibrant aging property.
As a case study in narrative-driven design, the book demonstrates how historically motivated augmentation and renovation can be brilliantly achieved without sacrificing any contemporary convenience. Ahearn deftly details the how and why of changes to both the interior and exterior program. By touching upon inspiring past works, he explains how the preservation of an idea as opposed to a precise structure can tug at the sentiments of memory, present an authentic attitude, and elicit a nostalgic response.
The volume includes Ahearn’s own hand drawings, before and after floor plans, and countless full-page photographs from both yesterday and today to delight architecture and history buffs alike. Thanks to modern technology the printed page comes alive; readers can see the original hotel wing being moved onto a newly poured foundation and hear hotel chimes more than a century old being rung in present day.
Captivating with a journey back in time and a window into Ahearn’s architectural processes, History Reinterpreted is the story of a home expertly redesigned to live for the future while respecting the past, and is an inspiring addition to any library of design books.
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