Old houses still have something to teach us.

This Modern Old House is an exploration of a new approach to restoring old homes, bringing history, science, design, and wellness into the same conversation. We work through real houses, beginning with Chestnut House in historic Haddonfield, and let the demands of the building test every idea. Our process pairs SJ Ayoub's experience as a developer and builder with architect Benita Cooper's architectural and historic-preservation practice.

Together, we study what should be saved, what must perform better, and how old materials and new systems can coexist without flattening a home's character. It matters because restoration can protect the stories held in a house while making it healthier, more comfortable, and more durable for the people who live there next. We are aiming high, but we are also learning in public, sharing the decisions, tradeoffs, mistakes, and discoveries as the work unfolds. Follow TMOH on Instagram, join the conversation, or share your own knowledge if you are a craftsperson, designer, homeowner, or fellow student of old houses.