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DOUGLAS R. SCHOTLAND ARCHITECT

High-Performance Transitional Building Design

We Are Honored to Have Been Voted Best Architect of 2024 by Town Topics Readers.

Douglas R. Schotland Architect specializes in the design of high-performance transitional buildings….Energy-efficient. Comfortable. Healthy. Durable. Sustainable.

Whether we are working on a new house or renovating a historic one, we seamlessly merge the best of art and science to create places that enhance modern living.

High-performance design for traditional buildings

THE VIRTUES OF OLD HOUSES ARE MANY...

There is so much to love about old houses. The delicate interplay of light and shadow across their articulated facades…Their subtle imperfections… Their natural materials, sculpted by the hands of people living in a simpler time…Their intimate relationship to the surrounding landscape. Old houses ground us. They connect us to our land and our past, imparting a sense of familiarity and calm. Old houses resonate with something deep inside us.

...BUT THEY DO HAVE THEIR SHORTCOMINGS.

Their myriad charms aside, old houses are notoriously “low-performance.” They are very likely to be wasteful of energy, uncomfortably cold or hot at various times of year, and have inferior air quality. In addition, the lack of natural light in some old houses leaves occupants feeling disconnected from their surroundings. In the worst cases, old houses may have suffered poorly designed or executed additions, alterations, or “modernization” efforts.

OLD HOUSE DEVOTEES APPEAR TO HAVE A DIFFICULT CHOICE TO MAKE...

Traditionally, the decision to live in an old house has meant choosing charm, history, and character over comfort, convenience, and environmental responsibility. Learn more about sustainability here. 

Treehouse
High-Performance Design for Traditional Buildings

We believe this is a false dichotomy.

Thanks to recent advances in building science and technology, it is now possible to integrate the most desirable features of contemporary houses, such as energy efficiency, natural light, resilience, and superior air quality, into historic ones. Likewise, we can design new traditional houses that perform like modern ones. Learn more about high-performance buildings here.

IT IS DONE OFTEN (BUT SELDOM WELL).

In the case of historic buildings, the great challenge is to implement these improvements without damaging historic architectural fabric or compromising character. With new buildings come other challenges. First of all, it is essential that the architect be well-versed in the language and details of traditional architecture. But it is just as critical to have a deep understanding of building science principles, materials and methods. Finding both skills in one person is harder than one might imagine.

IT REQUIRES A UNIQUE SKILLSET...

Douglas R. Schotland Architect was founded in 2009 to address this challenge. Bringing to bear specialized building science knowledge and decades of historic building experience—much of it hands-on—we are committed to devising creative design solutions that enhance our clients’ lives. Our designs are appropriate for vintage and traditional houses and respectful of the environment. Learn more about our practice here.

High-performance design for traditional buildings
High-performance design for traditional buildings

...AND A DIFFERENT PROCESS.

We begin every project with a deep investigation of your objectives and your property’s unique design opportunities and constraints. This important exercise allows us to focus our efforts, saving time and money. Learn more about our pre-design services here.

Next, we work closely with you to develop a design that meets your wants and needs. We use state-of-the-art virtual reality (VR) technology to help you visualize the changes we are proposing. Knowing what the built project will look like will give you the understanding and confidence to play an active role in the design process. We believe that this collaborative approach is the key to a great result. Learn more about our process here.

And we stay by your side even after the construction documents are finished, providing support to you and your builder during the construction phase.