A new home is replacing a teardown, in the Compo Beach neighborhood.
That’s not stop-the-presses news. It happens all the time.
But what makes this blog-worthy is the story behind the 2 new stories (plus a rooftop balcony).
The construction on Westport Avenue, between Soundview Drive and Bradley Street, has a name: the Westport Project.
It’s got a vision: a cutting-edge, sustainable, disaster-proof home that takes full advantage of the beach vibe and lifestyle.
It’s even got its own video documentary: a multi-part series showing off the neighborhood, the town, the building process and the people behind it.
It even shows the warts-and-all saga behind any construction project. (One episode included a behind-the-scenes look at delays.)
“The Westport Project” is a collaboration between Chris O’Dell and Eva Amurri.
Chris O’Dell and Eva Amurri, at the construction site.
He’s the founder of The O’Dell Group, the design-build collaborative known for custom jobs of all scales, from gut renovations to cosmetic facelifts. She’s the well-known influencer, designer and actor.
O’Dell is a 1995 Staples High School graduate, where he was a 3-sport athlete. He graduated from Michigan State University with a construction management degree, and has built and embedded his business in his home town.
Three project managers are Staples grads. O’Dell and the company have volunteered to build the new Compo playground, and sets for Bedford Middle School’s theater program; they sponsor sports teams too.
Amurri moved to Westport a decade ago, and features it often in her videos, social media posts and email blasts.
The pair — who met when O’Dell did a major renovation on Amurri’s Wright Street home — are stars of the “Westport Project” video series. They banter easily and humorously about the new home’s design, the old home’s demolition, the town, their lives and more.
Chris and Eva have an easy rapport.
But the real star is the house itself. Now that it is out of ground, it takes center stage.
This is no ordinary house. Built with ICF (insulated concrete form) and framed with steel, it is engineered to endure the elements. It’s fire-resistant, storm-resilient, and built for the next generation of smart, sustainable living.
The team is working to achieve near net zero energy consumption, powered by solar and supported by high-efficiency systems that minimize environmental impact.
Working at the Westport Avenue site.
Even the bones of the home are sustainable. Thirty percent of the concrete walls are made with recycled glass. The exterior siding will be crafted from rice husks, a renewable material with a handsome, modern finish.
“The Westport Project” viewers have enjoyed learning what goes into the design of a new home. They’ve seen what happens when weather delays the schedule. Episode 8 — the newest — gets into the nitty-gritty of cutting-edge Nadura concrete foam.
From now through spring, the series will show the highlights — and lowlights — of building a home, almost in real time.
The other star of the series is Westport itself. From the beach lifestyle — including traditions like the fireworks and trick-or-treating — to downtown shops and restaurants, Amurri and O’Dell showcase the town.
Many Westporters have tuned in. So have the actress’ fans, and others who are simply intrigued by a place they’ve only heard of (or who are hooked on design and construction videos).
O’Dell’s long connection to the town led him to the house. His former Staples classmate, realtor Meredith Luck Kamo, told him about the property.
He’s always loved the Compo neighborhood. He realized it had full views of the water and beach — and it could be the site of the very sustainable, disaster-proof home he’d wanted to build for a long time.
In Amurri, he had the perfect partner to help spread the word, in a fun, entertaining way.
“This series is about showing the process of building a local, waterfront home that is forging the path in sustainability, comfort and design,” O’Dell and Amurri say.
“We’re not cutting and polishing for a big reveal months after the fact. We invite viewers to watch it unfold in real time: the breakthroughs, the missteps and everything in between.” It appeals to both design lovers and construction buffs.
Chris O’Dell (left) and his crew, on site.
The pair look forward to upcoming episodes. They’re already planning to show their concerns about the solar panels.’
Will they be delivered, and be up and running by December 31? If not, the builders will lose federal tax credits (eliminated in the Big Beautiful Bill).
Stay tuned!
(Click here for the Westport Project website, including a link to the entire video series.)
(Full disclosure: I have known Chris O’Dell for over 30 years, as a coach and friend.)
There was discussion too about a phone conversation in which Scarice taped O’Dell, without his knowledge — something Scarice said he had never done with another employee. O’Dell claimed this was evidence of arbitrary and capricious behavior, but Mooney’s objection was sustained.
Not here. In this case, there are crucial pieces of evidence that — because the superintendent objected to them — the Board of Ed’s attorney will simply not allow to be introduced.