Rehabilitation & Restoration

11 Kennedy Road is a rare example of architect Ralph Adams Cram’s domestic design. The house was built in 1903 with both Tudor Revival and Arts and Crafts elements. Extensively remodeled in the 1960s to “modernize” the exterior, little remained of Cram’s original design. When the current owners faced extensive repairs due to deferred maintenance, they chose to restore the home as closely as possible to Cram’s original design using historic photos from the collections of the Cambridge Historical Society as a guide.

In undertaking the restoration, strict attention was paid to detail. Although restoration of the interior was impossible, the interior of the house was designed to be compatible with the exterior. During demolition of the 1960s interiors, however, a few hand chiseled stair newels were discovered and recreated by contemporary craftspeople. The Jacobsens’ decision to restore the house to its original appearance has returned an architectural gem to the Brattle Street neighborhood.