The State of Rhode Island retained BTGA to review the Eisenhower House site conditions and to design renovations upgrading the facility for more widespread use. Fire code, accessibility, and building improvements were evaluated as part of Phase 1 to produce a comprehensive report identifying recommended upgrades, categorized by level of priority. Working closely with the user agency to address their concerns, the investigation analyzed the house’s interior, exterior, and site conditions. As a high-profile project, BTGA prepared numerous presentations to stakeholders and government officials to obtain buy-in, and addressed changing needs quickly and efficiently. The building and fire code implications of various use/protection options were investigated, including fire alarm devices that blended into the historic aesthetics. The needed construction of an addition to accommodate accessibility requirements was designed to seamlessly transition from the historic home. In the warming kitchen, new cabinets and appliances make the space more functional for catering events. New flooring, upgraded lighting, custom furnishings, and finishes throughout the building completed the renovation.

Winner of the 2016 Doris Duke Preservation Award.