La Primavera is a 1925 stone residence in Chestnut Hill designed by architect Robert McGoodwin. The home’s Italian Revival details—including symmetrical stone massing, the arched limestone entry, original window configurations, and wrought-iron grilles attributed to Samuel Yellin—give it extraordinary architectural integrity, as documented through the National Park Service (NPS) Part 1 evaluation.

Preserving these features is essential. At the same time, the home’s aging systems—including the deteriorated wood shingle roof visible in the 2019 aerial photographs—offered an opportunity to demonstrate how deep energy retrofits can be integrated into a historic structure without compromising its character.

Through the NPS Part 2 process, every proposed intervention—from the new roof structure to window replacements, mechanical pathways, and enclosure upgrades—was reviewed against federal preservation standards. This Demonstrator showcases how geothermal wells, a solar roof, high-efficiency HVAC, and electrification pathways can be integrated within a historically sensitive building envelope while meeting NPS guidelines for rehabilitation.

The result is a real-world model of what it means to bring a century-old home into a net-zero future: honoring its architectural heritage while significantly improving comfort, resilience, and energy performance.