Bob Augustine
Architect
Scroll
Down
MODERN
ARCHITECTURE
Bob Augustine
Architect
MODERN
New England Homes
It all starts with an idea!
Native residents of the Maine Lakes Region still call their homes "camps" and give them a traditional name.
August Pines
Living in harmony with nature!
A multi-generational family retreat on the shores of Lake Thompson, Maine
The house is framed and clad with sustainably harvested, fire-resistant "Radiata Pine" grown on tree farms. The few pine trees that had to be taken down at the site to allow for construction were sent to a local lumber yard to be milled & used for interior stair construction & wall paneling in the new house.
Sustainable Design
August Pines
The flat-roofed wing with its overhangs and contemporary flare contrasts with the more traditional gable roof wing. The screened-in porch between them serves as common ground for the new house, a central gathering space where the elders and "the kids" can come together and share stories and create lasting memories.
August Pines
Tradition meets Modern
The sunny family room - a comfortable gathering spot, filled with light & surrounded by nature.
August Pines
August Pines
The screened-in porch, with its rustic stone fireplace and lake view, serves as the true heart of the home. It's an ideal spot for family and friends to relax, unwind, and create lasting memories; whether cozying up by the fire in the evening or watching the boats head down the lake on a sunny afternoon.
The camp kids... family, tradition & the future
As the day fades - the windows reflect a golden sunset.
A touch of mechanical whimsey at the kitchen sink
The camp kids... family, tradition & the future
Craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Sunset on the lake
Thompson Lake is rated one of the most pristine bodies of water in Maine. It is spring fed by the Poland Spring Aquifer.
Craftsmanship and attention to detail.
FEATURES:
• Local craftsmanship; attention to detail. • A blend of traditional design with contemporary flair. • Space is open and flows naturally between the rooms. • Open corner windows expand the view towards nature and allow fresh air to flow through the space. • A harmonious color pallet that blends-in with the land and the vegetation. • Radiata sustainably harvested, farm grown pine wood was used for siding and building material. • Additional lumber was sustainably harvested from the Great Eastern Pine that were removed from the site... • Metal roofing is considered highly fire resistant due to its inability to ignite, making it a great choice for fire prevention as it deflects heat and prevents embers from catching fire when compared to materials like wood or asphalt shingles. • Stonework for fireplaces and chimneys cut from nearby quarries. • A new deep well tapped into the pristine Poland Springs aquifer.
Folding doors open up and connect the screened-in porch to the living room creating one expansive living space.
Open living space
Folding doors open up and connect the screened-in porch to the living room creating one expansive living space.
August Pines
Oxford, Maine
Click on images
to enlarge
It all starts with an idea!
Living in harmony with nature!
A family retreat on the shores of Lake Thompson, Maine - one of the most pristine bodies of water in the state of Maine - fed by the Poland Springs aquifer.
August Pines features an open plan, with folding walls that open onto the screened-in porch at the heart of the house. Large energy-efficient picture windows along side of operable corner casement windows give the house a spacious and airy feel... open to nature with lots of light and views.
Wood framing & fire-resistant siding were sustainably harvested at "Radiata" Pine tree farms. The few Great Eastern Pine trees that had to be cut at the site were re-cycled at local lumber yards where they were milled and processed, and used to build stair and add paneling in the new house.
Selected Work
Dramatic front entrance
Photovoltaics & solar water heaters. White roof reflects the sun.
Dramatic front entrance
Skylight in the young son's bedroom points to Polaris, the North Star... as he navigates the world.
Zinc clad rotunda recalls the silso on New England farms.
Reverse polarity
Skylight in the young son's bedroom points to Polaris, the North Star... as he navigates the world.
Click on
images
to enlarge
Polaris House
The Play Room
Modern vivid orange enamel kitchen counters & spiral stair wakes up the space
Polaris House - view at the rear. Zinc overhangs at windows.
The Play Room
Inspiration/ Concept: A Sextant.... used by ancient mariners to find their place in the world by locating a celestial object like the North Star.
Belmont, MA
A skylight in the young son's bedroom looks up at Polaris, the North Star - a
fixed star in the night sky.
Excerpt from BOSTON MAGAZINE: "Polaris House, located in a wooded area of Belmont Hills across from the Audubon Habitat Education Center and Wildlife Sanctuary, was pain-stakingly designed to interact with nature at every turn. To wit: The top-floor bedroom features a skylight deliberately placed to point at the LEED-certified property’s namesake, Polaris - a.k.a. the North Star - and solar collectors on the reflective white roof serve as a water heater. Add in quirky design elements like a kitchen finished in high-gloss burnt-orange lacquer and a towering, zinc-clad central rotunda that recalls the silos on New England farms, and you have a home that’s unconventional in all the right ways."
A LEED Certification & Home Energy Star Award
ENERGY STAR AWARD has become has become a recognized international standard for energy efficiency.
"The architect was standing on the front steps shortly after the project was completed, when a passer-by came down the lane and called up…'Is this the new American Architecture?' Bob answered with a smile: 'Why, yes it is!' " Excerpt from the THE WALL STREET JOURNAL article: Shooting for the Stars.
An Inspiring Entry:
The entry rotunda, a zinc-clad main feature of the Polaris House, is reminiscent of the silos that once stood on the New England farms scattered across the local countryside... On the inside, a striking industrial orange painted spiral staircase winds its way up to the 2nd floor library. A large skylight above the stair floods the room with sunlight as a shaft of light marks the time of day.
Sustainably harvested Western Red Cedar offers superior quality for construction projects, especially those prioritizing fire safety. While most wood species are highly flammable, Red Cedar exhibits inherent fire-resistant properties due to its composition and unique cellular structure, which significantly reduce the vulnerability of structures to fires, providing valuable time for evacuation and fire suppression efforts.
Galvanized metal is considered fire resistant and can withstand extreme heat due to the zinc coating which acts as a protective barrier, allowing the underlying steel to withstand high temperatures for a longer period compared to bare steel, effectively increasing its fire resistance time.
Green pre-patinated copper forms and large windows turn towards nature at Fresh Pond in Cambridge, MA.
Pre-patinated copper forms weather with grace.
Computer rendering
Green pre-patinated copper forms and large windows turn towards nature at Fresh Pond in Cambridge, MA.
Two story window at the center of the house
Opening in the ceiling creates a two story window looking out to the golf course.
Two story window at the center of the house
Cambridge House
A modern outpost on Fresh Pond in Cambridge, MA.
"A continuation of the modern tradition in New England started by Walter Gropius, founder of the BAUHAUS in the 1930s." As described in a feature article in the Boston Globe entitled MODERN LOVE.
Material Selection
People often ignore the ubiquitous nature of flat roofs and copper cladding in our architectural environment. Cambridge & Boston itself are filled with countless examples of flat roof "triple deckers," and weathered copper facades and details. Sustainable Design: Copper has the longest history of recycling of any building material known to civilization. About 80% of all copper remains in use today, while 40% of copper used annually is recycled from prior uses. Sustainably harvested red cedar plank wraps the simple box shape on the street side on the project. The new sod covered roof deck was designed to use Toyota's "Roof garden" modular low maintenance grass (sod) tiles. Trading in traditional, heavily decorated wood cornices for clean, modern metal wings with struts that protect the siding.
"Coming home one Labor Day weekend, he found a voicemail that said, "Is this Bob Augustine, the architect for that house on Grove Street? I was out walking my dog and went by that house. I thought it was the coolest house I've ever seen." Excerpt from Catalyst Magazine
Thanksgiving dinner brings the family together
Overlooking Fresh Pond
Garage and front entry
Thanksgiving dinner brings the family together
Click on images
to enlarge
The peace of the first winter snow settles round the house.
Computer rendering of roof deck and rear patio
The peace of the first winter snow settles round the house.
Master Bath
Master Bath
Zen House
Weston, MA
ECO Synthesis of East-West.
We call it the Zen House.
On a wooded hillside in Weston, Massachusetts, 3 New England "Salt Boxes" come together around common ground. Light, air & nature flow through the space between these red cedar clad "boxes."
The clients wanted the house to reflect an East - West synthesis, built with clean, contemporary lines and materials like red cedar that weather with grace.
Zen House after 1st winter snow
Zen House after 1st winter snow
Clients reviewing early design studies
Click on images
to enlarge
The house is clad in environmentally friendly Western Red Cedar & prepatinated copper
An art studio is attached to the rear of the house.
The house is clad in environmentally friendly Western Red Cedar & prepatinated copper
Dining Booth
Light-filled kitchen overlooks the back yard
One of the boys design a tile insert
Dining Booth
Residence/ Art Studio
Click on
images
to enlarge
Cambridge, MA
Reinventing tradition with modern sensibilities. The clients, an artist and an art broker have an active young family. The third floor / boy's bedroom is outfitted with a two story rock climbing wall & a fire pole. There is a workout/ exercise/ cycling gym on the lower level that looks into the back yard. A gallery/ hallway leads from the mud room/ rear entry to an artist studio. Sustainably harvested red cedar siding and pre-patinated copper panels give the exterior a contemporary look.
"We just sold our house for nearly three times what it cost us to build. We're thrilled!
Client Comment
Dining Booth
A two story rock climbing wall & fire pole connects the 2nd & 3rd floor.
New triple decker
Front Entry of the street
Modern Worker Housing
New triple decker
Click on images
to enlarge
Roof Deck overlooking the park
New house next to renovated house
Dining/ Kitchen area
Roof Deck overlooking the park
Four houses around a common court
Four houses around a common court
Four affordable residences built around a court in Cambridge, MA
Bellis Circle
Cambridge, MA
"Seed" Community... Worker Housing for the 'creative class' in the heart of Cambridge's expanding tech & start-up scene. Built next to Danehy Park, one mile from Harvard Square, using an efficient, time saving panelized system of construction with a mixture of exterior finishes that include fire-resistant Hardie-Plank, red cedar cladding & galvanized metal overhangs.
Master Bath
Open to the outdoors
View from the back yard
Computer Rendering Study of Kitchen
Functional Kitchen
View from the back yard
Functional Kitchen
Roof Deck Garden - Awake with the scent of flowers outside your bedroom window.
Bridge House
Weston, MA
Organic forms of Western Red Cedar wrap themselves around a two-story living space which opens onto a dense wooded site.
A dramatic second floor bridge spans the 20' high central living space and connects the two wings of the house.
"Ya... it's been great! We will be here for a very long time. The layout fits our lifestyle perfectly..." Home owner for "Bridge House" in Weston.
Click on images
to enlarge
Condo Renovation - Home/ office renovation transforms this compact 650 sf unit in the Charlestown Navy Yard on Boston Harbor into a flexible, dynamic environment that blends work and play.
Coffee bar at work station/ breakfast counter - overlap work/ living zone
Although the overall tone is media-dark, blasts of color energize the main space. The walls of the kitchen and the bath areas are a chartreuse pigmented Venetian plaster.
Full wall mirror doors cover bathroom cabinets/ vessel sink/ Axio faucets by Stark/ Wall mounted Duravit toilet
Coffee bar at work station/ breakfast counter - overlap work/ living zone
Click on images
to enlarge
Navy Yard Renovation
Charlestown Navy Yard, Boston, MA
Marilyn/ Madonna - A classic photo printed on roll up window blind.
Material Boards 1
Duravit - green vessel sink w/ Philippe Starck chrome Axio faucet. Black granite counter & trim. Spring green "Venetian Plaster" on walls.
Marilyn/ Madonna - A classic photo printed on roll up window blind.
A Modern Vibe:
Although the overall tone of the condo is media-dark, there are blasts of color attached to the main room. The walls of the kitchen and the bath areas are finished with a richly pigmented chartreuse-colored Venetian plaster.
Product Listing Below:
• Fixtures and furnishings have a hi-tech fit & finish to complement the modern vibe. • Wenge shelving & storage unit • Kitchen & bath cabinets & storage by Arclinea • Venetian Plaster in Kitchen & Bath • Brazilian cherry flooring • Black honed granite counters & bath surround • Black granite flooring in bathroom w/ heating elements built-in. • Lighting by Luceplan & Tech Lighting. • Motion sensors light up the sliding glass doors of the wall cabinets. • Miele Built-in Coffee Maker & Dishwasher • Bath sink & shower fixtures by Philippe Starck • Albero sectional leather couch w/chaise • Noguchi Coffee Table • Deneb Dining Table • Hudson barstool by Phillipe Starck • Eames apple green, Office Chair • Aeron Office Chair • Giulio Bench, w/wenge finish by Giiulio Lazzott for dining table • Titania by Luceplan • Big Elvis by Tech Lighting • Duravit Vessel Sink, green enamel • BainUltra Primo Bath, air injection, hydro massage.
Green "Duravit" ceramic vessel sink. Cabinets behind full wall mirrored doors
Titania hanging light by Luceplan
Renovated Kitchen
Green "Duravit" ceramic vessel sink. Cabinets behind full wall mirrored doors
Elephants & Frogs
by Mieka Makour MacArthur. Graffiti art on plywood, wall hanging...
A Home for an Architect:
The Architect designed his own home/ office. The design creates efficient, multi-function areas that easily adapt to different needs. The focus is on comfortable living, with seamless integration of professional and personal spaces for work, media and daily living.
The main walls and ceilings are painted a flat charcoal, cutting glare and high-lighting furnishings, paintings & fixtures. Accent and task lighting keep distraction to a minimum and allow attention to focus on media and the task at hand...
A fascination with industrial design has led the client to collect pieces like the Starck's Hot Bertaa kettle, produced by Alessi; Global’s knife set, and Swid Powell -architect designed dinner plates. These pieces have become, to some extent, the art of the space.
Tiki Pines
Truro, MA
Mid-Century Modern returns to the Cape.
This quintessential Cape Cod beach house offers a perfect blend of simple charm and endless potential. Although still Under Construction the vision is clear.
The name "Tiki Pines" pays homage to the hardy dune pines that surround the property, while also reflecting the owner’s passion for Tiki culture. Nestled in the historic dune community of South Truro, at the tip of Cape Cod on the Atlantic Ocean, Tiki Pines is turning into a true gem.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Sporting a Mid-Century Modern vibe the house exudes style and flair... a perfect spot to celebrate the client’s muse & lifestyle!
Just a stone's throw from Provincetown, an iconic enclave renowned as a vibrant haven for some of America’s most celebrated artists, writers and free spirits including Jackson Pollock, Tennessee Williams, Jack Kerouac, Edward Hopper, Norman Mailer and Eugene O’Neil - The Cape remains a place where individuality, creativity and self-expression find a home amidst the natural beauty of dunes and ocean.
Press to play
Sound
Clients are big fans
of Tiki Culture
"Tiki Pines" - a Cape Cod home near the beach with a Mid-Century Modern
TIKI vibe...
"Tiki Pines" has been thoughtfully updated throughout - including a new, modern kitchen and bath. The facelift includes:
-
Bold, colorful ceramic tiles.
-
An ocean-colored front door with porthole / bubble window inserts.
-
The rusted-out wood stove has been removed and the battered and blackened red brick fireplace has been re-surfaced with white brick tile giving the entire space on open, spacious feel.
-
The wide-plank, dark pine wall paneling, out of scale for the small space, was removed along with the low, flat ceiling - exposing the underside of the roofscape, again opening up the space and adding to the spacious feel of the new renovation.
-
A ocean view rooftop observation deck was added to the rear porch.
-
New cedar shakes wrap the entire exterior, the decks and stairs have been rebuilt,
-
The front entry, drive and walkways have been redesigned to welcome visitors.
-
As you step up the landscaped site stair, you enter a welcoming private patio. Amidst hardy dune pine you will find a plunge pool, outdoor shower and Tiki Bar... to set the stage for fun and relaxed entertainment.
-
Site work courtesy of Zen Architects, one of New England's most creative landscaping firms.
-
Stair at patio were converted into bleachers for outdoor gatherings.
Existing Truro House (Tiki Pines) Images
(prior to renovation)
Watch Tiki Pines Come Together:
Visit upcoming blog post...
See the process, the inspirations, the details, the behind the scenes...
Give us your feedback/ input... Coming Soon
All Projects Banner
Click on Images
to expand view
Construction Images (Various Projects)
Skilled Craft / Attention to Detail/ Innovations to meet your needs
I have worked alongside skilled teams of of highly qualified contractors, fabricators, craftspeople and design specialists - some of the best in the New England area, personally overseeing the construction process, to ensure quality craftsmanship and attention to detail is maintained in every project. The goal is to bring your architectural vision to life...
The list of professional contributors includes Duncan MacArthur, of MacArthur Construction Company w/ 35 years of experience; Zen Architect, one of the foremost landscape architects in New England; Horiuchi Solien Landscape Architects create memorable landscapes on the Cape; Ledgerock Metal Fabricators in Hudson, MA; Andrukaitis, Homes & Fine Woodworking, Gray, Maine; Albert Putnam, Structural Engineer, Brunswick, Maine - specializes in working on single-family residential projects across the United States; Thor Construction, craft builders on the Cape.
You cannot find better, more qualified builders & experts in their fields.
Visionary Proposals
Proposal:
Addition & Renovation to a
Marcel Breuer designed house
Andover, MA
Marcel Breuer was one of the most renowned designers to emerge from the Bauhaus movement. The original house in Andover, designed by Breuer himself, stands as a prime example of his modernist vision. When tasked with creating an addition to this modern iconic structure - I faced a daunting challenge. For inspiration, I looked to another of Breuer own projects - his design for his personal home, where he famously plugged an airstream trailer into the side of his newly built house and used it as a study,
INSPIRATION:
Breuer plugged an airstream trailer into the side of own house and used it as a study.
Phoenix House
A futurist proposal for eco-living off the grid - The design celebrates active & passive solar design connected to the earth and the sun. Designed for the Verdi Valley, near Phoenix, Arizona
Describe your image
Describe your image
Faculty Club, University of Baghdad on the banks of the Tigris River, Baghdad, Iraq - Gropius' Faculty Tower in the background.
Charlestown Navy Yard
You Should Know....
I design modern, sustainable, custom homes across New England and beyond.
Based in the Charlestown Navy Yard on Boston Harbor, I offer a personal approach to every project. As a sole practitioner, I work closely with each client, ensuring they have my full attention and a seamless design experience.
My designs are tailored to each client and site.They are beautiful yet practical, with a strong connection to nature. They focus on bringing in natural light. They are open to views and fresh air, making your home a place that feels welcoming and inviting.
The skilled teams of contractors, fabricators, craftspeople and specialists that I work with are some of the best in the New England area. From start to finish, I oversee every step of the process to ensure quality craftsmanship and attention to detail is maintained on every project.
Whether you're building a new home, renovating or adding on to an existing space, I'm here to provide thoughtful, creative solutions that bring your vision to life. My practice welcomes design challenges large and small. Together, we will create homes that are functional, meaningful and inspiring.
The Practice
I opened my own architectural practice in the Charlestown Navy Yard over 12 years ago focusing on new and renovated residential projects. I offer creative design solutions, along with construction supervision, site planning, and project management services. I also offer Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) design services.
Eco-Sustainable Design
We aim to reduce the environmental impact of our design on our environment by promoting sustainable practices and using natural materials that are recycled, farm grown, non-toxic, and locally sourced whenever possible, to insure the health of the occupant and the welfare of the planet. We encourage the use of active and passive solar strategies... like photovoltaics, solar water heaters and roof gardens.
Education
In addition to my 1st Professional Degree in Architecture, I received a Masters Degree in Education at Cambridge College, MA. My master's thesis proposed: “A New Thesis Curriculum for Design Schools - Based on the Principles of Teaching for Understanding.”
Office Location
Charlestown Navy Yard
Contact
Bob Augustine
110 1st Ave. #401
Charlestown, MA 02129
email: bobaugustine@mac.com
cell: 617.242.4180
web: bobaugustine.com
Services
New Residential Design/ Construction
Renovation/ Interiors
Site Planning & Landscape Design
Accessory Dwelling Units* Design
Note: *ADUs are now permitted on your property in Massachusetts & elsewhere... either in the interior, attached, or detached as a new building. They must be at least 350sf and no more than 900sf.
The most common motivation for ADU development is rental income potential, followed by the prospect of flexible living space for multigenerational households.
Resume Brief
40+ years of Experience
Practice and Academic Experience:
I have over 40 years of experience, working on most types and scales of projects. This includes architecture, interior architecture, urban planning, master planning, and landscaping. That extensive experience spans both architectural practice and design education. My practice & teaching focuses on sustainable design research and practices.
My first job, when I moved to the Boston area was with The Architects Collaborative in Harvard Square. TAC was started by Walter Gropius, the founder of the now world famous Bauhaus design school. Gropius was instrumental in bringing modernism to New England. While at TAC I worked on projects in the States and overseas.
I served as Director of both the Architectural and Interior Design Thesis programs at the Boston Architectural College for over10 years until I started my current practice. The BAC is perhaps the top school in the nation offering a concurrent - academic and practice-based curriculum.
I've taught at a number of schools in the Boston area. I currently teach Architecture and Interior Architecture classes part-time at Endicott College in Beverly, MA.
Email or call with questions
Sign up for initial design consultation (below):
Let’s create something extraordinary together!
No Collections Here
Sort your projects into collections. Click on "Manage Collections" to get started