Brooklyn’s architectural identity is synonymous with brownstones—but tucked between those stately, stoop-fronted facades lies a lesser-known and older legacy: the wood-frame house. These rare wooden structures, some dating back to the early 1800s, predate even the borough’s famed rowhouses and offer a unique window into the earliest chapters of New York residential life.

With their charm comes complexity. Many of these homes are fragile, governed by stringent preservation codes, and require both historical sensitivity and modern know-how to restore. That’s where R.A. Somerby steps in.

As a Brooklyn-based, family-run design-build firm with deep roots in the borough, R.A. Somerby has made it a mission to breathe new life into the city’s most vulnerable architectural gems. Across two generations, the firm has built a reputation for masterfully blending contemporary functionality with classic design—especially in wood-frame home renovations where nuance, patience, and craft are non-negotiable.

Take, for example, the firm’s work on a pair of side-by-side wood-frame houses on Middagh Street in Brooklyn Heights. Built in the early 19th century, these homes were brimming with potential—but also in desperate need of restoration. Instead of imposing a new identity, R.A. Somerby took a measured approach: preserving original facades and interior moldings, integrating energy-efficient systems, and reworking layouts to suit modern living—all without disrupting the historic soul of the structures.

Their approach is deeply collaborative and highly technical. With extensive experience navigating New York City’s landmark preservation regulations, the R.A. Somerby team knows how to push design forward while working within strict parameters. The resulting homes feel both timeless and current, infused with character yet suited to contemporary life.

“Our philosophy has always been that modern design should respect history—not replace it,” says founder Richard Somerby. “Wood-frame houses are part of what makes Brooklyn, Brooklyn. They deserve to be lived in, loved, and passed down—not left behind.”

To date, R.A. Somerby has guided over 500 New York families through home transformations, many of them in historic neighborhoods where attention to detail isn’t just appreciated—it’s required. Each project is a conversation between past and present, preservation and innovation.

In a city that’s constantly evolving, R.A. Somerby’s work ensures that Brooklyn’s oldest homes aren’t forgotten—they’re reimagined, renewed, and ready for the next chapter.