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Harrison Mulhern Architects, 611 Main Street Unit 300, Winchester, MA (2026)

04/28/2026

Has your home survived the New England winter? Check your windows. ❄️➡️🌸

Winter in New England doesn’t just pass through—it lingers. After months of Nor'easters, condensation, and freezing temperatures, your windows have quietly taken a beating.

Most of us spend spring decluttering and deep cleaning the inside of our homes, but we often overlook the very elements that affect our comfort, energy efficiency, and mood: our windows.

Spring is the perfect "sweet spot" to address these issues before the humid summer heat arrives. Think of this as preventative medicine for your home.

Your Spring Window Inspection Checklist:

The Draft Test: Run your hand along the edges on a breezy day. Feel any air? That’s energy (and money) leaking out.

The Fog Test: See persistent fogging between the panes? That’s a sign of seal failure.

The Structural Check: Inspect frames for cracks, warping, or soft spots caused by winter moisture.

The Hardware Test: Do your locks, hinges, and sliders operate smoothly? If you’re struggling to open them, they need attention.

Why does this matter? Windows aren’t just glass—they are how you experience the outdoors. After months of winter isolation, you deserve a home that invites the light in rather than letting the comfort out. Properly maintained windows mean lower energy bills, better indoor climate control, and a stronger connection to the beautiful spring weather we’ve all been waiting for.

Spring is your home’s reset button. Don't wait until the summer heat makes it impossible to ignore the cracks.

Need a professional eye on your home’s performance? Whether it’s a simple repair or a full-scale upgrade, we’re here to help you get your home ready for the season.

04/18/2026

Why most renovations fail (and how to ensure yours succeeds)

It’s easy to get lost in the sea of Pinterest boards, paint swatches, and tile samples. But here is the hard truth: Most renovation projects don’t fail because of bad design. They fail because of unclear goals.
If you’re planning a project, hit the pause button on the aesthetics for a moment. Before you hire a pro or buy a single fixture, you need to define your "why."

1. Identify your daily friction points
What is actually making you crazy right now? Is the kitchen flow stifling your family? Is the lack of storage making the house feel chaotic? Your answers are the foundation of a successful build.

2. Separate the "Must-Haves" from the "Nice-to-Haves"
Clarity is the ultimate budget-saver.
Needs: Structural fixes, functional flow, and solving those daily pain points. These are non-negotiable.
Wants: Aesthetic upgrades and trend-based finishes. These enhance the experience.
Pro-tip: When your needs and wants compete for the same dollar, your budget suffers. Prioritize the needs first to ensure your home actually works for you.

3. Align your vision with reality
The biggest mistake? Setting goals without understanding the price tag of those goals.
Set a realistic range from Day 1. Try a 60/40 split: 60% of your budget for the "needs" and 40% for the "wants." Always, always set aside a contingency fund. Great design isn’t about an unlimited budget; it’s about making intentional, informed choices within your limits.

4. Build for the future, not just today
A smart renovation asks: "How will I use this space in five years?" Whether it’s accommodating a growing family, shifting to long-term remote work, or planning for resale value, your project should be an investment in your future lifestyle. A successful renovation isn’t defined by how it looks in photos. It’s defined by how well it supports your life.

Need help clarifying your goals before you start? That’s exactly what we do. Let’s make sure your project is built on a solid foundation.

👉 Contact us to start the conversation.

04/13/2026

Is your home a sanctuary, or just another digital device?

In a world that never stops pinging, buzzing, and scrolling, our homes have quietly become extensions of our digital lives. We spend all day connected to screens, only to come home to spaces that mirror that same constant input. If you’re feeling more drained than relaxed at the end of the day, you aren’t alone.

More homeowners are craving something different: The Analog Sanctuary.

These aren’t homes designed to be tech-free; they are homes designed to be human-centric. We are talking about spaces that don’t demand your attention, but instead, give you back your presence.

Without intentional design, our homes often default to:
📺 TVs as the only focal point.
📱 Phones as our constant companions.
🛋️ Convenience prioritized over genuine connection.

We believe architecture is a powerful tool to shape the rhythm of your daily life. By designing for "analog moments," we help you reclaim your time and your quiet.

Imagine a sun-drenched reading nook that naturally invites you to set the phone down. Picture a kitchen designed to draw the family into conversation rather than toward a screen. These are spaces that prioritize the tactile, the comfortable, and the meaningful.

Great design shouldn't just look beautiful—it should change how you live. It should be the antidote to digital noise.

Are you ready to design a home that restores your peace of mind? We help homeowners create intentional, restorative environments. Let’s start a conversation about designing your own analog sanctuary.

👉 Click the link in our bio to see our latest projects and learn how we can help you reclaim your space.

03/18/2026

Massachusetts is beautiful but it’s demanding on our homes.

Freeze–thaw cycles, heavy snow, coastal moisture, and humid summers can quickly wear down the wrong materials, leading to higher maintenance, energy loss, and premature repairs.

Designing for New England means choosing materials that perform in every season and still look timeless decades from now.

Materials that truly last here:
✔ Fiber cement siding
Resists rot, warping, pests, and winter brittleness with far less upkeep than traditional options.

✔ Natural stone & brick
Used for centuries across Massachusetts for a reason: incredibly durable, moisture-resistant, and beautifully timeless.

✔ Engineered wood (LVL / CLT)
The warmth of natural wood with the stability and moisture performance our climate demands.

✔ High-performance windows & doors
Less heat loss, fewer drafts, better comfort, something you feel every single day in winter.

✔ Standing seam metal roofing
Sheds snow, helps prevent ice dams, and offers exceptional longevity for both coastal and inland homes.

The best material choices don’t fight the climate, they work with it. When they’re considered early in the design process, they don’t just protect your home, they improve comfort, efficiency, and long-term value.

If you’re planning a renovation or new build, selecting the right materials from the start makes all the difference in how your home performs and ages.

03/08/2026

In New England, architecture isn’t just about style. It’s about how you live through the seasons.

Every year brings new design trends but your daily routines remain beautifully consistent.

The most successful homes in New England aren’t trend-driven. They’re life-driven.

1️⃣ Real life starts at the entry
In this region, an entry isn’t just a statement, it’s a survival space.

A well-designed mudroom means:
✔ wet boots and coats have a place
✔ clutter doesn’t reach the kitchen
✔ winter mornings run smoothly

2️⃣ Layout matters more than square footage

What homeowners truly value:
A pantry near the kitchen for everyday efficiency
A quiet, comfortable home office
Storage that keeps living spaces calm and uncluttered
Flexible rooms for guests, teens, or future needs

3️⃣ Comfort through all four seasons

True luxury here is:
☀️ Beautiful natural light in winter
🌿 Breezes and indoor-outdoor flow in summer
🔥 Warm, cozy spaces when temperatures drop
🔇 A sense of calm and acoustic privacy

It’s not about the look…. It's about how your home feels in February and in July.

4️⃣ Timeless design protects long-term value

New England homes are meant to last.

Designing around your lifestyle with flexible layouts, warm materials, and thoughtful infrastructure means your home will still work for you 15–20 years from now.

That’s not just good design. That's a smart investment.

5️⃣ The best homes support everyday rituals

Morning coffee in the same sun-filled corner.
A kitchen that naturally gathers everyone together.
A comfortable space to read on a snowy afternoon.
Seamless hosting during the holidays.

That’s when architecture becomes invisible and life becomes easier. Trends come and go. Your life and your home are here to stay.

If you’re planning to renovate, build, or simply rethink how your home functions, start with your daily routines not with a style.

That’s how we create homes that feel right in every season.

If you’re exploring what that could look like for your space, we’re always happy to start the conversation.

03/04/2026

In New England, winter isn’t just a season, it’s a design condition.

Heating costs are one of the largest long-term expenses for homeowners. While smart thermostats and high-tech systems help, the biggest energy savings don’t come from equipment. They come from architectural decisions made at the very beginning. Designing for our climate means creating homes that are comfortable, efficient, and valuable for decades.

1️⃣ Orientation & passive solar: the “free heat” strategy
In New England, the winter sun is low and comes from the south. A thoughtfully designed home can:
Capture natural winter warmth
Bring in beautiful daylight
Reduce heating demand without increasing energy use

This is one of the oldest and most powerful energy strategies.

2️⃣ A high-performance envelope = year-round comfort
Your walls, roof, windows, and foundation are what stand between you and the cold. What truly makes the difference:
Continuous insulation
Airtight construction
Thermal bridge reduction

Not just lower energy bills but fewer drafts, more even temperatures, and a quieter home.

3️⃣ Windows and doors that actually perform
In older New England homes, this is often where heat loss is greatest. Today’s high-performance systems, including triple-pane glazing which helps with
Warmer interiors near the glass\
Less condensation
Increased comfort without sacrificing natural light

4️⃣ Smart geometry = lower energy use
Energy efficiency isn’t only about materials, it’s also about form. A well-designed layout and massing:
Reduces heat loss
Improves performance
Keeps the architecture intentional and timeless

This is where design and building science work together.

5️⃣ Cold-climate heat pumps are changing the game
Modern systems are now designed specifically for New England winters. They:
Provide efficient heating and cooling
Significantly reduce energy consumption
Support an all-electric, future-ready home

But their success depends on the architectural design that surrounds them.

If you’re planning a renovation, addition, or new build, thinking about these strategies from day one makes all the difference — for your comfort and for your energy bills.

02/16/2026

When planning a residential project, one of the earliest and most influential decisions is whether to remodel an existing home or build a new one. Both paths can lead to exceptional results, but each comes with its own opportunities, constraints, and strategic considerations.

Remodeling often appeals to homeowners who value the character, location, or established context of their property. It allows familiar spaces to be reworked and modernised, improving functionality while preserving elements that give the home its identity. That said, working within an existing structure can introduce complexities, including:

➡️ Structural and spatial limitations that influence design flexibility
➡️ Outdated systems or construction methods that require significant upgrades
➡️ Unforeseen conditions that may impact budget, timeline, or scope

Building from the ground up offers a different approach entirely. A new build provides the freedom to design without inherited constraints; allowing layouts to be optimised for site orientation, natural light, energy performance, and contemporary living patterns. This path often involves:

➡️ A higher upfront investment
➡️ Longer planning and approval timelines
➡️ More complex decisions early in the design process

Neither option is inherently better. The right choice depends on budget, site conditions, regulatory context, and long-term goals. What matters most is making an informed decision early, before time and resources are committed.

An initial discussion with an architect can help assess feasibility, compare scenarios, and clarify which approach best aligns with your vision and circumstances.

📩 Reach out to us to schedule a consultation.

02/05/2026

A successful residential project rarely begins on site. It begins much earlier with thoughtful planning, clear communication, and informed decision-making long before construction starts.

1️⃣ Start with realistic budget planning
Budget planning is one of the most critical early steps.

➡️ Architectural and consultant fees
➡️ Planning approvals, permits, and statutory requirements
➡️ Engineering, services, and specialist reports
➡️ Material selections, finishes, and fixtures
➡️ Contingency allowances for unforeseen conditions or scope changes

When these elements are considered upfront, design decisions can be made with confidence and fewer compromises later.

2️⃣ Choose the right architect
The right architect guides the project from early feasibility through construction, translating ideas into a cohesive, buildable outcome.

When engaging an architect, it’s worth considering:
➡️ Experience with similar residential project types
➡️ A clear and transparent design process
➡️ Strong communication and responsiveness
➡️ An approach aligned with your design values and expectations

A strong partnership at this stage sets the tone for the entire project.

3️⃣ Plan the timeline thoughtfully
Early architectural involvement often leads to better coordination, clearer documentation, and more informed decision-making throughout the process. Residential projects move through multiple stages, each requiring time and care. A realistic timeline should allow for:

➡️ Concept design and design development
➡️ Documentation and consultant coordination
➡️ Planning approvals and authority reviews
➡️ Construction and site coordination

External factors such as approval processes or material lead times can influence schedules.

Clear planning around budget, professional engagement, and timelines creates a structured framework for the entire project. When these elements are established early, the design process becomes more focused, efficient, and ultimately more rewarding for everyone involved.

01/29/2026

The beginning of a new year is a natural pause point, a moment to reflect not only on how we live, but where we live.

January offers a quiet opportunity to look at the home itself and ask an important question:

Does your space truly support the way you live today and the way you want to live moving forward?

Rather than focusing on surface-level updates or short-term trends, the most meaningful resolutions for your home are rooted in function, quality, and adaptability.

That reflection often starts with how space is used:
➡️ Are there rooms that feel underutilised or disconnected from everyday life?
➡️ Do circulation paths feel intuitive, or do they work against daily routines?
➡️ Have lifestyle changes - working from home, evolving family needs, or shifting priorities - outgrown the existing layout?

Comfort and wellbeing are equally essential. Many homes have untapped potential when it comes to natural light, ventilation, and thermal performance. Thoughtful design interventions such as opening up living spaces, improving flow, or strengthening connections to the outdoors can dramatically change how a home feels throughout the year, without adding unnecessary complexity.

And as the new year begins, it’s also a reminder to think long-term.

Investing in durable materials, careful detailing, and timeless design almost always delivers greater value than trend-driven decisions. When design choices are guided by intention rather than impulse, the result is a home that feels calm, resilient, and deeply livable now and for years to come.

If you’re considering how your home could better support the year ahead, a design consultation can help clarify priorities and uncover opportunities for meaningful, lasting improvement.

📩contact us for an initial consultation

01/08/2026

If you’re planning a renovation or a new home, one of the first questions you’ll face is:
“Can I build this by right, or will I need a special permit?”

Understanding the difference early on helps you anticipate timelines, costs, and how much flexibility you have in your design.

At Harrison Mulhern Architects, we navigate these zoning pathways every day. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you plan with confidence:

➡️ By Right Projects
A project is considered By Right when it fully complies with your town or city’s zoning regulations.
This means no extra approvals are needed beyond standard building permits—often resulting in a faster and more predictable process.

➡️ Special Permit or Site Plan Approval Projects
A Special Permit or Site Plan Approval is required when a project doesn’t fully conform to certain zoning rules but may still be allowed if reviewed and approved by the Planning Board or Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA). This process takes longer, involves public review, and requires a strong justification—but it also opens the door to design possibilities that zoning alone might not allow.

➡️ How do you know which one applies to your project?
It starts with a zoning review, where we analyze the lot size and shape, the zoning district, the existing and proposed building dimensions, the neighboring context, the local bylaws and overlay zones… Many homeowners are surprised to learn that even small additions - or updates to older, nonconforming lots - can require a special permit.

➡️ Why understanding this early matters
Whether your project is By Right or requires a Special Permit, clarity upfront helps set realistic expectations and ensures a smoother journey from design to construction. At Harrison Mulhern Architects, we guide clients through both paths—helping you design beautifully and navigate local zoning with confidence.

If you’re considering a renovation or new build and want clarity on zoning, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help.

01/05/2026

Happy New Year !

Harrison Mulhern Architects

04/28/2026

04/18/2026

04/13/2026

03/18/2026

03/08/2026

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Monday	8am - 6pm
Tuesday	8am - 6pm
Wednesday	8am - 6pm
Thursday	8am - 6pm
Friday	8am - 6pm