Originally constructed in the late 19th century with additional wings added in 1911, the Lincoln School—designed by noted architect Wesley Lyng Minor—spans approximately 39,000 square feet.

This historic rehabilitation demanded a highly detailed and sensitive construction approach, starting with extensive exploratory work during preconstruction to fully understand the building’s structural conditions. Among the many challenges, the team executed complex temporary shoring throughout demolition and framing, carefully reworked existing brick bearing walls to accommodate new openings, and creatively addressed an irregular rubble foundation that would remain exposed as part of the final design.

A major focus of the project was preserving historical character while meeting modern standards, including navigating the stringent requirements of historic tax credits. This included the painstaking restoration of original tin ceilings: first, pre-demolition removal of acoustic tiles, conduit, and devices; then, delicately extracting, assessing, crating, deleading, and finally reinstalling and painting each tile. Great care was also taken to match the distinctive Norman iron-spotted brick, salvaging hidden sections between the wings of the building, and achieving NPS approval for a simulated slate roof—an elegant and cost-effective alternative to traditional slate.

Close coordination with neighboring abutters ensured a smooth process throughout. The project’s blend of architectural fidelity, thoughtful engineering, and preservation ingenuity earn it both the prestigious Thomas Menino Award for Excellence in Historic Preservation and The People’s Choice Award from Preservation Massachusetts.