South Boston Family Transforms Colonial Townhouse with Post-and-Beam Design

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 19, 2026

Margaret and Sean Duddy renovated their 1885 South Boston Colonial townhouse, expanding it by over 450 square feet through structural innovations like added dormers, a post-and-beam system, and basement excavation. This redesign created a more open, functional family space that enhances natural light and fosters daily connection while preserving the home’s historic character.

Margaret and Sean Duddy have transformed a historic Colonial townhouse in South Boston into a modern, functional family home through a thoughtful redesign emphasizing both structural innovation and aesthetic appeal. The residence, originally built in 1885 and last substantially updated in the 1970s, measures 1,426 square feet prior to renovation and occupies a corner lot near a neighborhood playground.

Seeking to adapt the home for their family of four, the Duddys enlisted architect Timothy Pingree and contractor Lucas Robertson of Shake Architecture + Construction to reimagine the space with a focus on quality improvements rather than increasing the number of rooms. Central to the redesign was the addition of front and rear shed dormers that matched the roofline of neighboring houses, expanding the top floor by 132 square feet. This expansion allowed the incorporation of two children’s bedrooms and a bathroom, addressing previous spatial limitations where standing room was confined to the center of the attic.

A critical challenge involved the home’s original structural system, which relied on load-bearing walls dividing each floor into separate front and rear rooms. This configuration restricted the possibility of creating an open floor plan on the first level and complicated adjustments to the second floor, such as accommodating a primary suite and a small office. To address this, the team adopted a post-and-beam structural approach, installing a Douglas fir beam along the roof ridgeline supported by matching posts extending from a newly excavated basement to the top floor. The basement excavation itself increased the home’s usable space by 329 square feet.

A new four-story staircase was constructed alongside one of the posts, culminating beneath skylights that introduce natural light throughout the home. This structural overhaul offered greater flexibility in interior layout, enabling an open flow from the kitchen at the front, through the dining area and living room, and out to a newly added bluestone patio.

Beyond its practical benefits, the post-and-beam feature serves as a prominent design element with personal significance to the family. Margaret Duddy noted that the exposed timber evokes memories of her grandparents’ home in Vermont, fostering a sense of comfort and connection.

Following the renovation, the residence now totals approximately 1,887 square feet. The Duddys have expressed satisfaction with how the home balances city living with familial closeness, appreciating that its modest scale promotes daily interaction without excess space. Sean Duddy remarked that the home’s size helps keep their family connected, reflecting their original goals for the project.

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