Ames Shovel Works

Ames Shovel Works - North Easton, MA

North Easton, MA The Ames Shovel Works creatively re-purposes a 19th century manufacturing complex cited as one of the nation’s 11 Most Endangered Historic Landmarks by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The revitalization preserves the original seven buildings (certified LEED Gold / Silver), creating 113 new affordable / market rate residences.

An innovative funding partnership between the Town and developer Beacon Communities, combined with an inventive design and masterplan by Prellwitz Chilinski Associates propelled this complex project forward.

Creative land planning deeded 1.6 acres as publically accessible open space in perpetuity, and provided the Town with an easement to build, own and operate a wastewater treatment plant on-site.

 The WWTP serves the ASW as well as North Easton Village, enabling economic development previously constrained by lack of adequate septic systems.

 The project reactivates a brownfield site along a future commuter rail line.

 The stone and heavy-timber buildings were retrofitted utilizing an insulation strategy adapted to a wide range of conditions using various densities and depths to create thermal barriers that meet LEED and Energy Codes.

 The site’s huge piles of rocks, boulders and dirt were re-used as primary landscape features, creating rock gardens and seating areas, and forming a berm between the site and neighboring houses.