March 2021
The Druid
1357 Cambridge Street
A traditional Irish pub in the heart of Inman Square, the Druid serves up classic Irish fare and perfectly poured Guinness. A favorite spot for lunch, we go there for the tasty food and delicious drafts. Mikey Crawford and his collegial bartenders make great drinks and conversation.
NORTHERN EXPANSION
For more than a decade, SKA has been a Cambridge-based firm, quietly building a significant following in the Greater Boston area. As we wind our way out of the winter and the days get a little longer and the air warmer, we all set seeds of new dreams and goals for the coming summer season. For SKA, that dream is our expansion North to the Squam Lakes region of New Hampshire, and we couldn’t be more excited. Our studio in Cambridge will continue to operate as our headquarters, but this summer, New Hampshire will become our first outpost.
Squam Lake is a unique area that has served as a bucolic getaway for many families for generations. Home of the classic film “On Golden Pond,” the lake is lined with iconic New England homes. Our studio has worked to preserve the historical features of many properties in the Cambridge and Boston area, while updating them for modern living, and we are thrilled to continue this craft in New Hampshire. Many of the well-loved homes that surround Squam Lake are in need of renovations and facelifts to be brought into the 21st century, but in a way that preserves their character.
Family culture is at the heart of Squam lake. There is something special about this area that ignites a spirit of togetherness, and that culture plays a critical role in design in this region. Generations of families spend summer vacations here and renew their bonds, introduce new members to the old guard, and build memories of fishing, boating, hiking, birding, puzzling, and cooking that will feed the soul until the next year. Designing homes to accommodate this unique aesthetic requires a creative use of space that takes advantage of the views, provides flexible sleeping spaces and bunk rooms to fit cousins and extended family, envisions guesthouses with breathing room but that are close enough for guests to meander over for a cup of coffee or an evening nightcap, sees boathouses tucked into the land to preserve the shoreline and natural landscapes.
At SKA, we are grateful to partner with clients with aligned values and create spaces where memories can be made that will last for lifetimes. Our current projects range from Nantucket to New Hampshire, and we are excited to focus some of our energies in this special corner of the world and connect with more Squam Lake families in the years to come.
SKA IN NH
Rattlesnake Cove Renovation
In search of a cabin they could escape to in their down time and challenged with finding rentals that would accommodate a dog and children, Sam and his wife, Maggie, sought out this split-level on Squam Lake in New Hampshire. Blanketed in once-plush 1970s carpeting and filled with sun-stained artwork of wildlife, the property felt stale and more like a tear down than a rehab, but the view was special. Click on the heading above to learn more about their journey to bring this property back to life.
Red Hill
Retreat
SKA designed this cabin in Sandwich in 2012, knowing that phase two would include adding wings and expanding the footprint when our clients were ready to make the property their full-time home. The 70-acre estate is perfect for horse riding, cross country skiing, and farming. In 2018, we worked through the design and added a “barn wing” to the house and a garage for storing a tractor, with a mudroom connecting the garage to the cabin. A main suite was added to the opposite side of the home, with an office below. A major goal of the project was to take advantage of the views toward Mt. Jerusalem and the Sandwich range and south toward Red Hill and Squam Lake. Click on the heading above to learn more about this project.
