2023 Chester County Day House Tour

We are delighted to sponsor and participate in the 82nd annual Chester County Day House Tour this year on Saturday, October 7th. In addition to being a Gold Sponsor, we are proud to have three properties featured along the tour, including our very own office in Malvern as well as two historic homes that were designed and renovated with the expertise of our team.

The nation’s oldest house tour, Chester County Day is organized by the Women’s Auxiliary to Chester County Hospital. Each year, the tour provides visitors with an opportunity to witness historic sites and scenes familiar to Revolutionary-Era figures like Benjamin Franklin and George Washington. This tour embodies the core values of our firm in its dedication to preserving and celebrating history through the built environment. We are thrilled to play a role in Chester County Day’s continued efforts to showcase these timeless homes.

Continue reading below as we delve into the history and design process behind each of our featured properties on this year’s house tour and don’t forget to purchase your tickets by visiting: https://www.chestercountyday.com/tickets.

c.1745 EDWARD KENNISON HOUSE
PERIOD ARCHITECTURE CHESTER COUNTY OFFICE

Chester County Day - Period Architecture Chester County Office

Less than a week after the Battle of the Brandywine in September of 1777, George Washington and his men clashed again with British troops at the Battle of the Clouds. Washington’s men surrounded the farmhouse now occupied by Period Architecture as they prepared to battle British troops located to the south.

Edward Kennison was the constable of Whiteland Township in 1711 and the proprietor of Malvern’s White Horse Tavern from 1722 – 1735. His farm, located along Church Road, has stood as a silent spectator to historic moments and everyday lives of Pennsylvanians since revolutionary times. Historical records show this building has served many purposes since Kennison’s time, as a tavern, general store, hospital, private residence and now a professional office.

The central portion of the farmhouse is believed to have been built in the 1740s, with two additions created on either side in later years. The home is constructed of locally sourced fieldstone, with three doors marking three eras of additions. Inside, the central room features a bake oven, walk-in fireplace once used as the main source for cooking. A small drawer under the window facing Swedesford Road harkens back to the building’s time as a storefront.

The addition closest to Church Road features two fireplaces with federal style millwork on the main level. Today it is used as a library and conference room, filled with books that inspire the traditional vernacular architecture found in Period Architecture’s designs. The two-story addition to the East is differentiated by its shed roofline on the exterior with its first level utilized as a modern-day kitchen when occupied as a residence in the 20th and 21st centuries. The space, now used as a print room and kitchenette, features the original wood beams and random-width hardwood flooring.

When Period Architecture acquired the property in 2017, the firm made minor changes to the home including choosing a more historically appropriate color palette, allowing the original character and features to shine through. Custom wrought iron strap hinges were created for the main entry door and powder room to replicate colonial era hardware. The historical details throughout the building are often used as inspiration and models for the firm’s clients looking to add similar character to their homes. The Edward Kennison House has stood the test of time and continues to be a shining example of early American design.

C. 1814 SCHOOLHOUSE RESIDENCE

Nestled within 1.9 private acres of wooded land in Malvern, the c. 1814 Schoolhouse Residence honors its early history as a place for learning while fulfilling its new role as a place for family.

Soon after the first Welsh and English settlers homesteaded in Great Valley, they established schools to educate their children. The Presbyterian Congregation of Tredyffrin, established in 1714 and still serving the local community today, began one of the first schools in the area operating out of one of the church buildings. In 1814, the congregation constructed this schoolhouse across the street. After the end of the Civil War, the population in the community increased as the Pennsylvania Railroad developed small towns along the main line. As a result, more schools were required to accommodate the increasing number of students in the area. Reflected on the datestone on the exterior façade, in 1886, the schoolhouse joined the Tredyffrin public school system and was known as “Tredyffrin Public School No. 3” or simply “The Presbyterian School,” although it only contained one classroom and employed one teacher at a time. 

The primary school operated for the next 40 years until the fall of 1927 when two new schools opened in the area and the Presbyterian School, one of the last one-room schools in Tredyffrin, was closed and sold. In the years since its closure, the schoolhouse has been converted into a residence, with its current owners purchasing the home in the summer of 2015.

In 2020, the now 4,800-square-foot home received a renovation and addition designed by Period Architecture and constructed by E.C. Trethewey Builders. Prior to the addition, the footprint of the home existed within the confines of the original schoolhouse. To create a more functional family home with centralized, cozy gathering spaces, the floorplan was reorganized and expanded. Notably, the kitchen and family room were relocated to the two-and-a-half story addition. These new living spaces feature abundant sunshine and scenic views of the property previously obstructed by a dense stucco façade.

An example of historic adaptive reuse, the c. 1814 Schoolhouse Residence renovation incorporates traditional architectural details into the new design, always placing its history at the forefront. From the front, the Pennsylvania schoolhouse silhouette is highlighted while the addition sits discreetly behind. The original vertical board porch gable siding, exposed rafters and column details were incorporated throughout the addition’s exterior. Inspired by the style of its 1886 counterpart, a new datestone on the family room stone chimney marks the additions moment in time.

On the interior, two 19th century school desk chairs are proudly displayed in the foyer as an homage to the home’s past life as a schoolhouse. While the building itself has undergone many changes in form throughout the decades, it remains a nurturing space for learning and growth.

C. 1802 THREE-THRONED MANOR

One mile from Valley Forge National Park stands Three-Throned Manor. Standing along old Nutts Road in Valley Forge, this property witnessed George Washington on his many trips to Bull Tavern during the Revolutionary War. The original road can still be seen on the property as the flat area of the lawn immediately in front of the stone wall. Originally constructed in 1802 by John Gwinn, the home is a wonderful representation of an 18th century Chester County farmhouse.

The home has seen many occupants in its 200+ years as well as different ways to utilize the space such as an inn and later a country store. With its two front doors, the main door enters the central hall and family living area, the other into what might have been the common rooms of the inn which are the current dining room and kitchen. In 1860, Joseph Valentine opened a country store in the home, probably using the current dining room as the store, with the current kitchen as the storeroom. There is a smoke house in the attic that was used during this time which features Mr. Valentine’s name written on the slide for the stove pie in the door to the smoke house.

A typical building technique of the era, the stones were quarried directly from the property, in an area just north of the house, currently occupied by an apple orchard. The best stones were reserved for use at the front of the home, next best placed on the sides, and the rear utilized the oddly sized or shaped stones. Additionally, the most expensive, time-consuming German pointing was used on the front and sides of the home, with plainer, less expensive pointing on the rear. The stones on the rear of the home were covered with horsehair plaster but has since been removed to expose the beauty of the stone.

A remarkable feature of this property, and its cheeky namesake, is the original stone privy. It is a “three-holer” and has been restored for modern use for firewood storage. The roof and seats have been reconstructed utilizing mature wood; however, the door is original to the structure. 

In 2014, the current homeowners enlisted Period Architecture and Devon Construction to reimagine the home to better suit their everyday lives. The renovation and two-story addition were designed to create a safer and more private family entrance as well as provide the necessary space for a growing family. The new spaces include a sun-filled breakfast room, ample kitchen to prepare meals and hurry off the kids to school, a family room large enough for everyone to gather, along with a primary suite, mudroom, and garage. The new spaces respect the original character of the home by incorporating similar materials such as reclaimed wood beams, character grade random width hardwood floors, herringbone antique brick floors, restored fireplace mantels, beadboard wainscot and exposed interior stone walls. The home now tells the tale of an 18th century home expanded over time to suit modern-day lifestyles.

Hilary Mork, AIA, Named Associate Principal

We are thrilled to announce the promotion of Hilary Mork, AIA, to the position of Associate Principal! ⁠

Hilary was the first-ever intern for our firm in 2011. She gained experience at firms in both Chicago and Richmond before returning to Pennsylvania and to Period Architecture. Hilary brings a personal touch to each design. Skilled in creating detailed millwork, innovative solutions and honoring architectural precedent, her designs create a feeling of home. As Associate Principal, we look forward to her continued creativity, leadership, and mentorship to the next generation of architects within our offices.⁠

“From my very first day as an intern here, I felt strongly that this was exactly where I belonged.  And when I came back after time out of state, it felt like coming home,” Hilary explains. “We have so much talent in the firm right now, its incredibly exciting to see the beautiful work that is being produced!  I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us as a team.”

Please join us in congratulating Hilary!

Thank You!

That’s a wrap on 12 Days of Giving!

We are overwhelmed with the response from our clients, partners, friends and family. Thanks to you we were able to donate over 200 toys to CityTeam in just 12 days! Words cannot express our gratitude! We look forward to coordinating another toy drive in 2023!

If you’re interested in learning more about CityTeam visit their website at CityTeam.org

12 Days of Giving

Join us in spreading holiday joy!

This year we are excited to announce our 12 Days of Giving holiday toy drive benefiting CityTeam. Please consider joining our firm in donating children’s toys to spread Christmas cheer in the Philadelphia area.

To participate, drop off unwrapped toys to our offices in Malvern and Doylestown, or simply follow the link below to the Amazon Wish List and your donations will be sent directly to our office. We will deliver the toys to CityTeam in Chester, PA, the week of December 19th.

If you’re interested in learning more about CityTeam, their mission, or donating to this organization directly, visit their website at CityTeam.org

Our toy drive has ended, but if you’re interested in donating directly to CityTeam visit their Amazon Wish List here: 12 Days of Giving

Trumbauer Awards

Period Architecture accepted two design awards at the 2022 Trumbauer Awards presented by the Philadelphia Chapter of Institute of Classical Architecture & Art. Accepting the awards on behalf of the firm was Principal, Joseph Mackin, on Thursday, November 3rd at the Union League of Philadelphia. The firm was awarded the top honors in New Residential Architecture Over 5,000 Square Feet for Hilltop Residence and New Residential Architecture Under 5,000 Square Feet for Chimney Hill Residence.

“It is an immense honor to be recognized by the Institute of Classical Architecture & Art for one home, let alone two,” stated Joseph Mackin. “The Trumbauer Awards are one of the highest distinctions for traditional design in our region and we are humbled by these commendations.”

Hilltop Residence in Greenville, Delaware, evokes the expression of an 18th-century, Pennsylvania farmhouse that has developed over time. “When we asked the homeowners their design goals for this home, they simply requested a home primed for a visit from George Washington himself,” Principal Jeffrey Dolan explained. Traditional details are found throughout the exterior and interior spaces with special care in designing period millwork and the incorporation of reclaimed materials. The judges remarked, “This design showed restraint. Sometimes it’s not what we put in, but what we leave out which makes for an award-winning design.”

Inspired by Colonial Williamsburg, Chimney Hill Residence sits atop a hill next to a well-traveled road leading to the historic borough of West Chester, Pennsylvania. “With such a prominent location, we were given the unique opportunity to create two frontages for this home,” says Mackin. The Dutch-Colonial style features one formal frontage with an “original,” center hall, five-bay mass, and one informal family frontage with a private courtyard and gardens. “It is the detailing and the massing that gives this period house it’s character,” the judges noted.

The Biennial Trumbauer Awards honor exemplary design that preserves and advances the classical tradition. Named for internationally renowned architect, and Philadelphia native, Horace Trumbauer, these awards recognize contemporary projects that express the breadth and inclusiveness present in his work. This year’s awards were open to the members from the Philadelphia, Ohio & Lake Erie chapters of the ICAA with submissions from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Ohio, New Jersey, New York, Delaware and Maryland.

How to Make Your Outdoor Living Space Feel like a Vacation

As the temperatures continue to rise, outdoor living spaces become key to true summertime enjoyment. While you soak up the sunshine, think ahead to next summer and how you may be able to better utilize your outdoor oasis. After all, a yard is a special place of refuge and we believe you deserve to enjoy it in style and comfort.

Whether you’re looking to build a new house or create an addition to your existing one, these outdoor living ideas will undoubtedly increase your enjoyment of your home. In fact, these upgrades may have you feeling like you’re living in a luxury hotel—just without the room service.

Covered Porches

Imagine throwing open your doors and, with a steaming mug of coffee in hand, lounging on your covered porch while enjoying fresh air, birdsong, or the comforting hush of summer rain. This is the beauty of a covered porch. It seamlessly connects the interior of your home with its outside surroundings and does so while providing protection against damaging UV rays or inclement weather. And, for those who like to host parties, these types of porches also enhance a guest’s experience because they can easily transition from the inside space to the outside one without having to worry about the weather.

A tip from our team: If you’re building a covered porch as an addition to your home, it is imperative that it’s design transitions smoothly from the original building.

This covered porch, designed for a homeowner in Westover Hills, Delaware, provides an uninterrupted experience with the backyard. For added comfort, we included retractable screens to help keep the space bug-free in the summertime.

Pools

If you ask a child, the advantages of a backyard pool are obvious: pool parties and playtime that lasts all day in the summer. However, having a pool in your backyard comes with other benefits as well.

From a design perspective, a pool provides an easy and beautiful addition to the yard from which to build around. But its impact on health is even more valuable than its design function. Several research studies have found that the presence of water in architectural design can improve concentration and memory and decrease heart rate, blood pressure, and rates of stress. In addition, a pool is a great-low impact exercise for just about everyone. We can’t think of a better way to help you feel like you’re relaxing in the lap of luxury than by floating in your own Caribbean blue-colored pool.

A tip from our team: Before designing a pool, consider how you want to use your backyard space in its entirety. This will help inform the size, location, orientation, and design of the pool itself as well as the design of the surrounding areas.

The design of this Key Largo, Florida, home was inspired both by its tropical Floridian surroundings as well as the British West Indies architectural style.

Entertainment Barns

Luke Brian and Jason Aldean both have something in common aside from being A-list country crooners: they also have stunning entertainment barns on their properties. For people like these singers who are big on hosting guests, an entertainment barn allows them to put some space between their guests and the sanctity of their living spaces.

And, despite the name, an entertainment barn has many uses outside of being a private event venue. They can also be used as an overnight guest house, a detached office space, a workshop, a game room for adults, a playroom for kids, a “classroom” space for artists and creatives, or a place to host parent meetings, book clubs, or garden parties. However you intend to use it, an entertainment barn is the ultimate private luxury retreat that you’ll never have to travel to.

A tip from our team: When building an entertainment barn, you will want to work with an architect who will be able to connect it to the rest of your property in a cohesive and natural way. The best way to do this is to select certain styles from the private areas of your home to incorporate in your entertainment barn. To learn more about our tips on barn design, visit The Art of the Barn.

When designing a new residence in West Chester, Pennsylvania, we were asked to include a separate space for hosting events. The end result was this cozy entertainment barn.

Bring The Vacation to You

It is important to remember that your home living space isn’t confined to what’s between the front and back doors. Your outside living space should feel as inviting and comfortable as your living room. So, whether you choose one of these options or all three, we have no doubt you will revel in the added luxury of your home as you lounge in your new outdoor space.

Design Spotlight: The Classic Pennsylvania Farmhouse

There is something magical about walking into a traditional Pennsylvania farmhouse home. The sandstone and granite walls feel solid and expansive. They stand like broad-shouldered guards defending against not just the cold but also the ills of the world. The inviting and gently winding central staircase unfolds with delightful secrecy into the warm depths of the home. Elaborate strap hinges and beading around the windows hint at simpler times when everything was handmade with dedicated precision by expert craftsmen. And, of course, each etch in the warn wooden flooring speaks of decades of lives lived and unknowable stories of the past.

It’s hard to experience a home like this and not get carried away by its charm. Frequently, homeowners who grew up in this kind of home come to us wanting to carry on that tradition into their own growing families. Others have simply fallen in love from a distance. Regardless of their personal histories with these homes, the masterful architect behind this style, Richardson Brognard Okie, is so infrequently talked about that few homeowners know anything about him or understand the intricacy of his work.

This lack of understanding means homeowners are not able to identify what parts of this style they want to capture in their own new homes. Since many homeowners come to us wanting to design in this colonial revival style, we are going to explore Okie’s history and architectural signatures so that you can better acquaint yourself with the craftsmanship and detailing of his homes. Doing so will likely give you deeper insight into how to approach the design of your new colonial revival home.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF R. BROGNARD OKIE

Richardson Brognard Okie (1875-1945) was known as an architectural artist and master builder. Colleagues praised his work saying it epitomized the American way of life because his buildings were of the highest quality — a result of his unrelenting desire for perfection — and yet were still modest and unassuming.

Born and raised in Camden, New Jersey, he moved to Philadelphia after graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1897 with a degree in architecture. Okie had always had a close connection to the countryside and, after his move to Pennsylvania, this seems to have translated into a deep appreciation of the region’s copious farmhouses.

Early in his career, Okie was known to travel around the Pennsylvania countryside hunting for early Dutch buildings with his son in tow and a ruler in hand. When he found a particularly distinctive structure, Okie would pore over every detail of it, measuring everything he could and collecting castoff hardware. This is how he became fluent in the language of these iconic homes.

Okie’s fluency in Pennsylvania farmhouses eventually paid off spectacularly. Some of his more notable clients included the Pew family, the DuPont family, the former Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, Owen J. Roberts, and the former United States Attorney General, Philander C. Knox. He was also commissioned to restore Betsy Ross’ house and William Penn’s country home, Pennsbury Manor.

Overfields Farm is a c. 1912 Berwyn home that benefitted from a addition and renovation designed by R. Brognard Okie in 1927. It is currently undergoing a complete restoration and renovation by Period Architecture.

HOW TO SPOT AN OKIE HOUSE

Due to his thoughtful designs, there are signature details in Okie’s colonial revival homes that make his buildings easy to identify. “Okie is unique in that he created his own architectural vocabulary that, from the naked eye, looks very simple,” says Period Architecture’s associate principal architect, Patrick McDonough. “But, when you study his drawings and details, you get a better appreciation of just how much time and ingenuity he put into his houses.”

Stepping inside an Okie home is where you will be able to spot the most unique elements of his designs. Pay attention to the millwork, mantelpieces, and staircases. Okie infused these three elements, in particular, with his own signature style.

MILLWORK

Okie had fun with the millwork in his homes and used these details everywhere. Look closely and you’ll notice: intricate beading on window shutters, door frames, walls, cabinets, and even stair banisters; distinctive semicircular doorstops behind every door; and creative zig-zagging woodwork holding up bookcase shelves known as saw-tooth shelving. The beading, in particular, is something that makes Patrick chuckle. “If you speak to any millworker today who’s working on an Okie house, they will complain about the beads. Okie put beads on everything. He is notorious for putting single beads, double beads, and sometimes even triple beads in his homes,” he says.

From the rattail hinges to the sawtooth adjustable bookshelf railing, the millwork throughout the Standfast Residence showcases the playful spirit found in Okie homes.

MANTELPIECES

Many of the mantelpieces in Okie’s homes were inspired by the historic mansions in Germantown, PA. You’ll notice that he uses bolection molding and a decorative design technique called punch and gauge to intricately decorate his mantelpieces.

The Parlor Room of the Berwyn Residence features a detailed molding mantelpiece. This was one of the more ornate styles Brognard Okie utilized when designing fireplace mantels.

STAIRCASES

The staircases are the heart of every Okie home. “He used staircases almost like hallways,” Patrick explains. Most modern houses use a staircase to simply get someone from one floor to the next but, in an Okie home, the staircase strategically and seamlessly connects every section of the house. This means the main staircase will likely bring you to a half floor, servant’s wing, balcony, and second-floor landing all in a short distance.

Welcoming, yet refined, this Chester County Farmhouse staircase carries a rustic simplicity to it’s design while remaining a centerpiece to the home.

Of course, Okie’s attention to detail doesn’t stop with the interior of the house. The exteriors of his homes also have classic signatures from unique shutters and fieldstone walls to precisely scaled porches and dormers. In addition, Okie was also consistent in the orientation, nestling, scale, and form of his homes. While these elements are not unique to him, paired with the interior and exterior elements outlined above they can become an excellent indication of whether you are in the presence of an Okie home.

ORIENTATION

A mark of a good architect is a conscious understanding of the best orientation of a building. Designing a house to get the best southern exposure not only gives it the best views and ventilation but also allows warm sunlight to enter the house for most of the year. Okie had an innate understanding of orientation. Most of his homes have large, southern-facing double-hung windows and Dutch doors to maximize the amount of sunlight and air entering the house. He would also align all the doors inside the home so that, when windows were open in the summertime, fresh air could filter through and cool the entire home.

The Dutch door in this Berwyn Residence brings a farmhouse detail while aiding in natural circulation throughout the first floor of the home.

NESTLING

Positioning a house at a high elevation point to get good views is a modern concept. Well before Okie’s time, home builders would build at lower elevations and try to embed their homes into the land to get the most protection from harsh weather conditions. Okie embraced this practice and did so with amazing ingenuity. He would nestle a home into the side of a hill in a way that managed to protect the home while still delivering beautiful views. It was this nestling technique, and the variety of elevational changes it caused, that forced Okie to engineer his unique staircases.

Nestled among mature landscaping, the Unionville Residence is protected from the elements, while taking advantage of the bucolic views from every corner of the home.

SCALE AND FORM

Okie had no interest in creating hulking mansions. Instead, he would create spacious, overlapping wings that unfolded into the landscape. Each wing was designed in a slightly different way so that the entire home looked like it had evolved over time.

While brand new construction, the Unionville Residence appears to have grown over time with two wings on either side of the main stone structure. This is the technique Okie utilized to create a sense of maturing over time even though being built from scratch.

HOW OKIE INFLUENCES OUR WORK TODAY

Okie never just recreated an old farmhouse. He studied the past and then infused it with his own creativity to make a unique design.

It’s in this way that Okie influences our firm’s work the most. Today’s residential styles have evolved drastically since Okie’s time, so when a homeowner asks us for an Okie-style house we need to find novel ways to blend historic farmhouse charm with the more modern living styles of our era. This means we, too, never just recreate a historic house. What we do is transform serpentine back hallways into more open living areas, rework staff quarters into cozy guest bedroom suites, and creatively hide modern elements behind old-world design. In other words, we are using history as inspiration and adding our own twist to create something new, unique, and tailored for each client.

In a word, Okie’s biggest focus was always on simplicity. He wanted each of his homes to have a vernacular feel. And this is yet another of the many ways he has influenced our work. We’ll let you in on an architectural secret: things that look simple are usually inordinately complex to design and build. Yet we understand and share Okie’s dedication to aesthetic simplicity, and commit ourselves to it for every project we touch.

Long before we started our firm in 2010, we each had a deep appreciation for Okie’s work. His dedication to detail and cohesion has been — and continues to be — a major source of inspiration to each of us in how we approach our designs. Now that you, too, have a better understanding of Okie’s work, we hope you’ll feel empowered to embrace your new home project with confidence.

fieldstone home in horsham near talamore country club

OKIE HOMES ADAPTED FOR TODAY

If you’d like to see our Okie work in action, take a look at the homes listed here. This list includes a mix of original Okie homes that we delicately modernized for the needs of today’s families and homes that we designed from scratch in the Okie style.

The Art of the Barn

While Pennsylvania’s cities might be known for many things — cheesesteaks, Hall and Oates, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and a lovable, googly-eyed, orange mascot among them — it’s countryside is associated with one thing above all others: it’s multitude of old, charming barns. So, it’s understandable that many homeowners come to us for guidance on what to do with an old barn sitting on their property or how to design a new one that looks like it’s always been there.

With the help of our project architects and resident barn experts, Brad Kline and Doug Mancuso, we are going to give you a brief introduction to the art of the barn and explain how to design a barn that fits your equestrian, agrarian or entertainment needs.

HORSE BARNS

“The design for horse barns is very modular, which forces a kind of rigidity in the design,” Doug says. The interior layout, in particular, will be determined by three things: the quantity and size of the stalls, the width of the center aisle, and the types of additional amenities like wash stalls and tack rooms. Unless a homeowner has a unique aisle size in mind, they are generally 16 feet wide. The stalls themselves usually measure 12 feet by 12 feet for a single horse and 14 feet by 14 feet for a mare and foal.

From there, “choices need to be made about details that will ensure horse safety and comfort,” says Brad. For example, a lot of times we’re asked to include metal angles on top of the stall partitions, to prevent horses from chewing on them, or use rubber pavers inside the barn, which provides more support to horses’ delicate legs and hooves than brick or concrete flooring.

Our focus for this new bank barn in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania was to create a beautiful but practical barn that prioritized the horses’ safety without sacrificing quality in the design.

No matter what an owner needs in their barn, our mission is to deliver a beautifully practical structure. “We keep the large details like the timber frame, stall doors, offices, and tack rooms well-crafted while ensuring every detail is functional for everyday use,” says Doug.

This 16,800 square-foot, two-story, timber-framed event center in Nappanee, Indiana was designed to accommodate a wide range of event styles from wedding receptions, community gatherings, business banquets, product shows, family reunions, and more.

EVENT BARNS

When we take stalls out of the equation, the design possibilities for a structure become limitless. When it comes to designing commercial event barns, our goal is to find a balance between creating large, open spaces while making sure it still feels warm and inviting.

When thinking about creating an event barn, the two questions you need to ask yourself are: how many people do you want to be able to fit inside, and what types of events do you want to host in the space? Much of the design will stem from the answer to these questions.

“A great example of a recent event barn that we designed is Sammlung Platz,” says Brad. “The owner wanted to utilize it for corporate meetings, wedding events, and as a community center. So we created a global design to suit all their needs.”

However you decide to utilize your event barn, many of these types of spaces will require larger mechanical HVAC systems, a multitude of bathrooms, and possibly elevators and commercial kitchens. While this might sound like a lot to keep in mind, these are all considerations we will guide you through before starting the design process for your project.

ENTERTAINMENT BARNS

Because we are based in Pennsylvania, many of our clients have old barns original to their property that they’d like to make better use of. Transforming these charming buildings from their original farm-oriented design to an entertainment barn allows homeowners to have a separate space to host guests in a variety of ways. “It’s a space where holidays happen, where you host your dinner parties. It’s an extension of the home,” Doug says.

The key to a successful entertainment barn is scale and proportion. “They are not meant to be grand spaces, they’re meant to be intimate,” says Brad. A typical size for an entertainment barn is three bays, or about 30 feet by 48 feet, which allows it to comfortably accommodate multiple seating groups. “Our focus is on not making them so big that they feel lonely. We want you to be able to use it even when you’re just a family of two or four,” says Doug.

This 1873 dairy barn in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania was used as a storage space for several years, but eventually the homeowners wanted to give it a breath of new life and purpose as an entertainment barn. We helped them reimagine this building so that it could once again be full life. It now includes a driving range, putting green, guest suite, full-service kitchen, commercial-grade bar, and ample, spacious seating areas.

Entertainment barns give you the most freedom to have fun with the design. Here are some ways that entertainment barns have been used in the past:

  • Overnight guesthouse
  • Detached office space
  • Workshop
  • Game room for adults
  • Playrooms for kids
  • “Classroom” space for artists and creatives
  • A place to host parent meetings, book clubs, or garden parties.

Understanding how a homeowner wants to use their space is integral to our architectural process because we design with your needs and dreams in mind. One of the first things we’ll do is explore your ideas and guide you through your options so that we can make a space that is tailored specifically to you.

TAKE THE NEXT STEP IN BUILDING YOUR BARN

When it comes to barn design, the believability of the structure is always our main focus. We accomplish this by continually looking to history to see how barns were originally designed. Then, we use history to inspire our own design process down to the smallest details. Building in a believable way, rooted in history, is how we successfully create unique buildings that are tailored to their homeowners but still exude a feeling of instant old.

When done well, a barn has the power to transcend time. And when people walk into our barns, their nostalgia recognizes all of the authentic details and they allow their imaginations, if only for a moment, to transport them to another world.