This Old House Hour Season 11 Episode 2 Cambridge Project, Part 2 of 15

This Old House Hour season 11 episode 2 continues the Cambridge Project, which is a 15-episode series covering the renovation of an 1887 Victorian-era home in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This episode marks the second installment of the series.

The show begins with host Kevin O'Connor meeting with project architect, Dan Quaile, and general contractor, Tom Silva, to discuss the progress made since the last episode. The team discusses ongoing demolition work, electrical and plumbing updates, and the challenges of working with an old home that has been renovated multiple times.

Next, we see a segment on energy efficiency updates. Kevin meets with energy consultant, Peter Temple, to discuss updates to the house's insulation and windows. Peter explains the benefits of using energy-efficient materials and demonstrates how the team is working to strike a balance between efficiency and the house's historical character.

In a section on landscape design, Kevin meets with landscape architect, Kellie Connelly, to discuss the plan for the home's exterior. Kellie explains how the team is working to create a lush backyard garden that fits with the home's historic character. The team discusses using native plants and creating a yard space that will be both beautiful and functional.

A large part of this episode focuses on masonry work. Kevin visits a local brickyard where the team is sourcing bricks to match the existing walls of the home. He then visits the job site to watch Tom and the masons lay the bricks and mix the mortar. We see the team working to balance speed and precision as they work on the home's many chimneys and brick walls.

Next, the show covers the installation of the roof. We see the team working to properly seal and insulate the roof, which is crucial for energy efficiency and preventing water damage. The crew discusses the challenges of working with a steeply pitched roof and using slate shingles to match the existing home.

Finally, the episode ends with a segment on lighting updates. Kevin meets with lighting designer, Kerianne Graham, to discuss the plan for the home's new lighting system. They discuss using LED lights to save energy, modern fixtures that will match the home's historical character, and using lighting to highlight the home's unique features.

Overall, This Old House Hour season 11 episode 2 offers a glimpse into the complex renovation of a historic home. The episode touches on a range of topics, including energy efficiency, landscaping, masonry work, roofing, and lighting. Viewers will get to see the challenges and rewards of working on an old home, as well as the joy of updating it to meet modern standards.