Anthony Brooks building gets modern makeover

By Anya Tikka
MILFORD — When architect Richard Pedranti talks about passive houses and historical restoration, his enthusiasm is evident.

He describes how simple things can make buildings not only energy-efficient, but also make them better: high performance, modern, and more comfortable. He said the newly renovated Anthony Brooks building in Milford is a “new-old building in that although the exterior brick and interior are exactly the same as before due to careful, painstaking research and building restoration techniques. It’s a better version of what was there before.”

The building was destroyed by fire in 2013, and the owners Deb and Paul Brooks wanted to restore it — and make it more comfortable and energy efficient. It was built in 1850 as a commercial building, and currently houses the Brooks’ store Ambiance Furniture and Fine Gifts; Progressive Health’s meeting space as well as an apartment.

“Energy efficiency is only a part of a passive house,” Pedranti said. “Passive house is the new version of what modern living is.”

Passive house model includes four simple components: insulation, air sealing, really good windows, and no air exchange, he said. Insulation is often blown into the existing structure using spray foam or cellulose, air sealing involves taping and layering, and no air exchange can be achieved by "really good windows" and a heat recovery ventilators.

“Now’s the right time for it,” he said. "The concept was created by Swedish and German experts in the 1990s, although the it was first discovered in USA and Canada in 1970s. Because energy was so cheap back then, we just forgot about it.”

In the case of a 175-year-old building like Anthony Brooks that’s full of nooks and crannies, spray foam was used for the insulation because it expands really well. But cellulose insulation is often used, too.

“Anthony Brooks Building had three bricks in the walls," said Pedranti. "We put the bricks back exactly as they were, but added the insulation in between."

Passive takes offPassive house building is becoming more prevalent and is slowly being added to building code, Pedranti said.

“With new building, we simply add a layer in the wall and seal it tight with tape," he said.

While passive house reduces energy consumption — eventually to zero, with solar energy becoming cheaper and cheaper — it’s certainly not the only component of Pedranti’s work with Anthony Brooks or other restorations.

“Historic restoration is definitely an important part of what we do,” he said. “We were able to restore a 175-year-old building, but we did it in a modern way. It’s an example of how we can restore and old building.”

Pedranti always knew he wanted to be an architect.

“I grew up here and went to Delaware Valley," he said. "I had a very supportive art teacher who encouraged me to pursue architecture. I’m delighted to be practicing architecture in Milford. “

The Hoff Medallion award is a new annual award established in 2015 by the Pike County Historic Preservation Trust. Four buildings received an award, and Anthony Brooks was among them.

The construction work was done by Dakan Enterprise of Honesdale.

Pedranti is currently working on the restoration of the historic Community House in Milford.