Recipients of awards for its work in historic residential projects, Penza Associates Architects specializes in finding new beginnings for older structures. Inserting a twenty-first century lifestyle into a structure conceived for nineteenth century inhabitants requires a deep understanding of building materials and systems infrastructure. Equally important is understanding the modern lifestyle in terms of contemporary functionality and its relationship to our yearning for the past. The challenge is in honoring the character of the original structure without compromising the personality or the technological and functional needs of the client. Also important is having a command of code requirements, community interests, tax credits and other funding issues.