The Phoenix

HUDSON, OHIO, USA

Built in 1880 by the Ellsworth family, this house was lost to a devastating fire in 2020. The owners loved the historic home with all its quirks and wanted to rebuild it as close to the original plan as possible. With no existing plans of the house available and multiple additions obscuring the original structure, the firm created existing conditions drawings from the charred wreckage left by the fire. Great efforts were made to resurrect historic elements and maintain an ‘old house’ feel for the rebuild. By sourcing components that were salvaged from other buildings of that era, reusing the old foundation stone and even preserving surviving plants in a temporary nursery during demo and construction, the team was able to bring the spirit of the former home back. There were some minor improvements to the original home as part of the rebuild. Adding volume and glazing in the back allowed more light into the home and created a stronger connection to the garden. The final result is a home that the owners love even more than the original and is a testament to their resilience and commitment to making something beautiful out of the ashes.

Builder: MBA design
Photographer: Christian Philips