Built in 1893, this one-room schoolhouse had sat abandoned for years before its next chapter began. The structure carried a century of character but also the marks of time—settled foundations, weathered materials, and an interior that had long outlived its original purpose. Our goal was to honor the building’s historic simplicity while transforming it into a functional home that could stand for another hundred years.

Significant structural work was required from the start. We reinforced and repaired the existing foundation, rebuilt failing framing, and re-engineered the roof system to allow for a new upper level where there had once been only an attic. The addition of a custom-welded steel staircase provided a bold architectural focal point, connecting the newly created second story to the main living space below.

Throughout the project, care was taken to preserve the details that define the schoolhouse’s heritage. The original hard maple floors and tongue-and-groove ceiling were salvaged, restored, and reincorporated into the finished design, grounding the home in its 19th-century craftsmanship. The finished home preserves the charm of its past while embracing the function and comfort of modern living.