River House: Bridgewater, MA

  • General Contractor: Callahan Construction, Bridgewater. MA
  • Installer: Lighthouse Masonry, New Bedford, MA
  • Architect: Embarc, Boston, MA
  • Product: Tru-Brix

River House, located in Bridgewater, MA, is a remarkable project that demonstrates the seamless integration of brick and wood-frame construction. Designed by Embarc Studios and built by Callahan Construction, this innovative building features a lightweight, mechanically attached brick rainscreen system designed by Desana Partners. Installed by Lighthouse Masonry, the project highlights efficiency, sustainability, and precision engineering.

Advanced Brick Rainscreen System Design

The Desana-designed system incorporates thermally broken brackets and vertical L-profiles, enabling a greater thickness of insulation while maintaining an uninterrupted air and moisture barrier. The bricks were supplied by Glen Gery and were attached to a rainscreen subgirt system, which provide consistent vertical and horizontal alignment. The full system—comprising bricks, subframing materials, shop drawings, third-party engineering, and calculations—was streamlined under Desana’s comprehensive solution, ensuring accuracy and efficiency from start to finish.

Sustainability and Long-Term Benefits

This brick rainscreen system offers a range of key advantages:

  • Thermal Performance: Thermally broken brackets allow for thicker insulation, enhancing energy efficiency.
  • Moisture Protection: The open cavity ensures proper drainage and ventilation, preventing moisture buildup.
  • Streamlined Installation: A complete system, including engineering and materials, reduces complexity and improves installation efficiency.