Author Archives: jackzaphiris

Sandy Pond Road in Lincoln Massachusetts, is a street known for its contemporary art museum and its’ architecture. Walter Gropius and Marcel Breuer built houses along this winding road and it was here that we were commissioned, many years ago, to add our name to that roster. What good fortune to have a client thatContinue reading “Sandy Pond Road”

Judge Skelton Smith was conceived in a tiny two room Garrett on Louisburg Square in 1982……three old friends combined youth, ambition and a remarkable desire to bring “traditional “ design back to Boston. It has been the best adventure we ever set out upon! Indeed, Our most enduring projects, those of memory and merit, haveContinue reading “Beacon Hill”

Architects are called upon from time to time to submit “entries “ in competitions. The competition for the Ames Library in North Easton , Massachusetts was especially meaningful to Mr Judge for it was a historic structure in his home town. The building was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson and was very familiar and significantContinue reading “Ames Library Competition”

At times the only appropriate design solution to a complex problem is to “keep it simple”! We have always found that Modern architecture is well suited to the task of tying discordant houses together. The project mentioned here is a prime example of how this theory of simplicity can deliver unity from a house composedContinue reading “Chilmark Modern”

We have been fortunate to have many clients use us for multiple projects. The duplex apartment pictured here is one such project. Parkside was completed for a professional couple that only a few years earlier had hired JSS to restore an abandoned town house on Beacon Street. The Back Bay house was open to theContinue reading “Parkside”

The “Oval Garden“ was designed to compliment the house we built in the Copeland Historic District of Martha’s Vineyard. The plant materials were selected in keeping with the neighboring Waban Park properties and in accordance with the Historic commission’s guidelines. The results are timeless:Lavender and roses, day lilies, black eyed Susan’s ,ferns ,ivy and springContinue reading “The “Oval Garden””

Set on a small village lot bounded by Waban Park with distant Ocean views a writers aerie was designed and built. Martha’s Vineyard long the home for artists , journalists and theater people was to have yet another National figure join its ranks. We were privileged to receive the commission. The house ,built on fourContinue reading “Oak Bluffs Cottage”

The “Farm” as it is referred to in The Madanonock region of New Hampshire is being complimented with a new guest cottage. Over the years Judge Skelton Smith architects has been called upon to be a part of the changes that a property of this size and history sometimes require. The main task for us,Continue reading “The Farm”

A few years ago we helped a potential client locate a large old house on Martha’s Vineyard. The place we found was brimming with charm and local history. It was also in need of a complete renovation.Perched above Vineyard Haven Harbor on Main Street and designed in the shingle style it was perfect! Just whatContinue reading “The Art Buchwald House”