This Craftsman Style Bungalow is a single family residence in Westport, MA. It is a new construction build that was completed in 2018. It features a large covered porch with tapered columns and stone bases and an attached 2-car garage. The Master Bedroom Suite and Laundry Room are on the First Floor, while the Second Floor takes advantage of Westport River views. The layout takes advantage of the open concept and features a 2-story Living Room with an overlooking balcony at the upstairs Office. A large deck overlooks a private backyard with a freestanding pergola and a tractor shed.
Architect: MH Architect, LLC (Tiverton)
General Contractor: Chartier Building Co. (Little Compton)
Structural Engineer: Camera O’Neill Consulting (Portsmouth)
Cabinetry: Riley Kitchen & Bath (Bristol)
Photography: Stacey Pray (Berkley)

This historic 1880's farmhouse was brought back to life, with a new Kitchen Addition and floor plan reconfiguration. The existing barn structure was also completely re-built to accommodate a treatment office, studio and guest quarters. The main house was fitted out to incorporate an open Kitchen-Dining-Living area, while still maintaining the integrity of the original farmhouse feel that made the house so special. The house also takes advantage of the water views and cooling summer breezes from the Bristol Harbor with a screened side porch and a traditional covered porch.
Architect - MH Architect. LLC
General Contractor - Charles E. Millard, Inc.
Structural Engineer - Camera O'Neill Consulting

Private Residence

Middletown, Rhode Island

This single family home was built on the existing foundation and first floor framing of a modest two bedroom Cape Style home. The clients wished to have a more spacious Craftsman Style home that takes advantage of the beautiful ocean views toward Newport’s Easton Beach and Cliff Walk. The owners are avid boaters and the home boasts nautically inspired elements including brass lighting, a tower ceiling adorned with LED lighted sails, and floors and countertops crafted from teak and holly.  Like a boat, every inch of built-in casework maximizes storage and eliminates clutter. This Craftsman Style home also features many sustainable aspects, including solar thermal water heating, super insulated exterior walls using spray foam insulation and an intelligent VRV heating and cooling system which utilizes a highly efficient energy recovery ventilator. The 5,500 square foot residence was completed in November of 2009.

Melissa acted as the Project Architect for this home and was responsible for overseeing not only the architectural design, but the interior design as well. She worked with the clients all the way from the zoning approvals process through construction administration.

Project Team: Newport Collaborative Architects, Inc. (Architecture and Interiors), Behan Bros. Inc. (General Contractor), Allied Consulting (Mechanical Engineer), Yoder Tidwell (Structural Engineer), Dan Herchenroether (Photography)

Newport, RI

This interiors renovation project included a new layout for the Lobby, Reception Desk, Bar/Lounge and Restaurant updating this well known historic hotel. The design melds the historic features of the existing hotel seemlessly with more modern furnishings and a more open and generous floor plan. The "twisted traditional" design was a joint effort between MH Architect, LLC and Chicago-based Interiors firm, The Gettys Group.

The design features a backlit white recycled glass "waterfall" reception desk adjacent to a new three-sided gas fireplace in a comfortable and warm lobby waiting area. Heavy doors and a wall that previously separated this lobby from the bar area were removed to allow the a greater flow of space and better lines of sight from the front entry door. Selected wall-coverings, and materials were chosen to lighten the space and bring a bright, welcoming, and nautical feel to this distinctly Newport iconic hotel at One Bellevue Ave.

Project Team: MH Architect, LLC. (Architecture), The Gettys Group (Interiors), Farrow Commercial (General Contractor), Camera O'Neill Consulting (Structural Engineer), Keith Chouinard (Photography)

Corrigan Financial interior renovations were completed in 2015. This existing one level office was transformed to incorporate a second floor featuring a connecting split steel and glass staircase opening into an employee lounge and kitchenette. The stair treads and kitchen cabinets are made of matching quartersawn sapele mahogany. The second floor was completely reconfigured into a large conference area that shares borrowed light through a beautifully modern glass storefront system.

This project was built by Farrar Inc. of Newport, RI. Structural engineering was completed by Camera O'Neill Consulting of Portsmouth, RI. Furnishings and storefront provided by Pannello Systems, LLC.

MH Architect worked with current home owners of this beautiful Jamestown seaside cottage to transform an outdated and cramped kitchen space into the Farmshouse kitchen of their dreams. Original wide plank heartpine flooring was refinished and tied into the scheme with the addition of a pine beadboard ceiling. All new stainless steel appliances modernize the kitchen while the farmer's sink, painted beadboard backsplash and wood countertops give the kitchen a cozy, country aesthetic. Light painted cabinets and walls help to keep the kitchen bright and airy, while there are lots of open storage areas for pottery, cookbooks and wine. The cabinetry is completely custom with pull-out drawers and a built-in countertop hole that goes directly into a trash bin. MH Architect worked with General Contractor Charles Millard, Inc. who was responsible for the reconfiguration of the space and all custom cabinetry.

Private Residence
Newport, RI

The new owner’s of this existing single family home located off of Ocean Drive in Newport wished to update the Interiors and tailor the space to their specific needs.  The existing First Floor Master Bedroom Suite and Den were turned into a Home Gym, Home Office and Library with state-of-the-art home theater system.  In addition, three of the existing bathrooms were completely gutted to allow for new plumbing fixtures, tile work, lighting, etc.  The transformation of the library was accomplished with the addition of custom red birch casework on three of the walls.  The existing vaulted bleached wood ceiling was enhanced through the use of an LED cove up-light at the perimeter of the room.  The floor of the office was raised to enhance the amazing views toward the ocean and a glass wall with sliding glass door was added between the gym and office to allow for acoustic privacy while providing a visual connection and allowing for natural light to filter into the gym space.  Melissa is also responsible for the design of the new 350 square foot wine cellar and a new 3-car garage for these wine and antique car enthusiasts. She also coordinated with an outdoor lighting team to highlight the amazing landscape features and entry to the site.  This project was completed in August of 2011.

Melissa is the Project Architect for this home renovation and was responsible for the Architectural Design and Interiors. She worked with the clients from preliminary design through construction administration.

Project Team: Spring Street STUDIO (Architecture), Henry Cassese HCA Pre Cut (General Contractor), New England Woodworking (Custom Casework), Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, Ben Jacobsen Photography

Middletown, RI

This multi-family residence creates a seamless connection between 19th century historic rehabilitation and 21st century new construction.  This adaptive reuse started with the historic Shingle Style home of John Bancroft designed by William Ralph Emerson in 1893. The ten luxury condominiums take full advantage of the ocean view, direct access to the waterfront and modern amenities. Through the restoration of wood carved ceilings, fireplace surrounds and historic casework and moldings, the house retains almost all of its original historic fabric. This 18,000 square foot residential complex was completed in January of 2008.

Melissa acted as the Project Architect. She coordinated existing and historic drawings, acted as the Design Architect, facilitated zoning approvals, and oversaw construction administration as well as marketing materials for the units.

Project Team: Newport Collaborative Architects, Inc. (Architecture), Center Development Corp. (Developer), Behan Bros, Inc. (General Contractor), Allied Consulting (Mechanical Engineer), Odeh Engineers (Structural Engineer)

DeCrescenzo Chiropractic opened a new branch office in East Providence in November 2013.  Melissa was responsible for the architectural design and space planning for this tranquil and Eastern inspired health and wellness center.  She worked with the owners to make the existing space as efficient and functional as possible, while tailoring  the space specifically for the treatments and therapies offered.

This project was built by Charles E. Millard, Inc..  and structural engineering was completed by Michael Camera, P.E.

Home Healthsmith LLC came to MH Architect when they first moved into a new commercial space and wanted to create a welcoming showroom space for "all things accessible". This Center for Adaptive Living at Highpoint displays many options and possibilities for making homes and spaces barrier-free. The showroom includes a residential elevator, several stair lifts and platform lifts, as well as an ADA compliant bathroom, bedroom with lift track and closet. MH Architect also created a learning environment with a presentation space capable of classroom style learning and presentations to large groups. The residential spaces show how accessible elements can be integrated into a home seamlessly, without an institutional feel.  Home Healthsmith is working with several other vendors for opportunities to display their accessible products and to offer several options and finishes to customers looking to make their homes more livable for a wide range of disabilities. This project has been modeled in 3D and is currently in the Bidding Phase.