The Tupper Boathouse is a post and beam structure built in the Town of Southampton between 1929-1930. It is a timber framed wood shingled building which operated as a boat building and later housing a repairing business until the late 1950s. The post and beam manner allowed for large interior and unobstructed space, typical of this early 20th Century typology. The original timber trusses enabled hoists to be installed to for the hanging of boats and later for large engines when operated as a repair facility. In 2020, the Town of Southampton conducted work on the building to raise it and perform structural stabilization. The stabilization project demolished the existing attached southern cottage; however, a new foundation for the future cottage wing was installed. This project has prepared the structure ready for this final phase of design and restoration.
The intended future for this building is as an educational and interpretive facility that will honor the structure’s history and celebrate the area’s maritime heritage and environmental significance, and the existing attached cottage will be utilized for future occupancy as a property steward. Based on the preexisting designs and renovation plans for the site, responsibilities for the architecture and engineering include the technical design, construction documents and construction administration and management to allow for successful rehabilitation, and implementation of the new design.
Easton Architects prepared a comprehensive Existing Conditions Assessment to evaluate the conditions of the site and the feasibility of an adaptive reuse project. We will oversee a multi-disciplinary team for all aspects of the project and will coordinate directly with the client and municipal agencies with jurisdiction over the site.