The New England Chapter of the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art (ICAA) announces the twelve winners of its eleventh Bulfinch Awards. The Chapter invited entries from New England firms as well as firms from around the country for work performed in the New England region—in addition to a new award for international work performed by New England members. Over 70 entries were submitted. The Jury consisted of landscape architect Janice Parker, and architects Daniela Holt Voith, Thomas Kligerman, and Michael Imber.

Polhemus Savery DaSilva Architects Builders’ Talcott Lodge project won in the Commercial category. The grand and historic craftsman style lodge originally named The Pines was built in 1928 at the center of the more than 3,000-acre Symington/Talcott property that is now The Pinehills community of Plymouth. Our client is only the third occupant in the building’s history. Located off the rural Sandwich Road (established in the late 17th Century) the lodge and its grounds reflected the original owner’s desire for a sophisticated, rusticated, woodland retreat focused on game hunting and fishing. Maintaining the original character was critical to our client but the retreat aspect is now focused on playing golf.

As a restoration and conversion project, structural and plan changes were minimal but new finishes and systems occurred inside and out, allowing a single family home to become a commercial guest house for golf club members. The private portions of the second floor in both the main house and service wing were subtly reconfigured to create luxury guest suites. On the first floor, a bar pavilion and service/display cabinetry were designed and built and inserted into the grand living and dining rooms. A new commercial kitchen and a fire sprinkler system were installed. On the exterior, roofing and siding were replaced with red cedar shakes to match the original. All windows were replaced with new insulated glass windows that otherwise match the historic windows. Original working drawings and construction photos indicated that the building had changed little over the years and helped expedite our restoration. Under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Historic Commission, all historic preservation requirements were met or exceeded.

The Bulfinch Awards are hosted by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art New England Chapter (ICAA New England) and recognize practitioners from across the nation who are committed to promoting excellence in the classical tradition and allied arts within New England. All eligible projects work toward building upon the legacy of Boston’s early Federal architect, Charles Bulfinch, who is widely regarded to be the first native-born American to work in the field professionally. Initiated in 2010 and modeled on the ICAA’s Arthur Ross Awards, the New England Bulfinch Awards program is an annual competition. The winners of the Bulfinch Awards will be recognized at a ceremonial reception and dinner gala in the Harvard Hall at the Harvard Club of Boston, designed by Parker, Thomas & Rice on Saturday, October 2nd at 6 p.m.