10/15/2026
The leaves are changing and acorns are dropping... with the exception of this Acorn Deck House, which has certainly changed but is now elevated in performance and aesthetic thanks to a deep energy retrofit and renovation.
A renovation takes something old and makes it look and feel new. The original form and function are preserved, but presentation and livability are updated for modern tastes and needs. Mid-century modern homes are among most architects’ favorite gems to refresh and restore; think expansive walls of glass, post-and-beam-construction, and soaring ceilings that just need dated floor plans or finishes brought into the 21st century.
Acorn Deck Houses, a Massachusetts-based company founded in 1947, designed and produced some of the first pre-fabricated MCM homes on the market. Their process proposed an alternative to traditional building methods that generated less waste and repurposed materials left over from World War II industries.
In 2020, our clients purchased a lakeside Acorn Deck House to serve as a multigenerational gathering space. The project began as a tear-down and rebuild; the existing home was less than forty years old but suffered from complex issues with moisture and insulation. Dark timber interiors, a cramped kitchen, and a layout defined by numerous structural columns made interior spaces feel low and narrow with seemingly few options for restructuring. During early design discussions, the owners reconsidered demolition only if the home could be meaningfully opened up without lowering the ceiling anywhere.
Essentially, we were asked to make a house levitate. So we did.
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🌱 : Soren Deniord Design Studio
