AIA Bucks County 2020 Design Awards
Excellence Award
The Lodge
Honor Awards
Doylestown Township Building – Phillips & Donovan Architects, H. Joseph Phillips, AIA
Fireline Road – Ralph C. Fey, AIA Architects, Ralph C. Fey, AIA
Longwood Farm – Ralph C. Fey, AIA Architects, Ralph C. Fey, AIA
Juror
Lee Washesky A licensed architect for over 25 years registered in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.
Lee is an instructor of architecture at The Pennsylvania State University. Degrees include a Bachelor of Science from Penn State, a Master of Architecture from Columbia and independent studies at the Architectural Association in London, UK. His experience includes built work at all scales.
Honor Awards
Doylestown Township Building – Phillips & Donovan Architects, H. Joseph Phillips, AIA
The Nathan James House, built in 1888 for Mr. and Mrs. Nathan James, Esq., was designed by one of Philadelphia’s most revered 19th century architects, Milton Bean. It was originally constructed as a residential duplex, with the other half occupied by James’ son and daughter-in law.
Over the years, the south side of the duplex, (now known as The Nathan James Plaza Building), changed hands many times and was most recently owned by the County of Bucks to house their Legal Aid office. In 2014, the building was sold once again and the firm that took on the historically sensitive task as architect and construction manager used its expertise to bring this majestic building back to its original glory, while modernizing it for today’s technological needs.
Juror’s Comments
This project was able to break down the scale of a rather large program and create an inviting complex structure. The displacement of public/ semi-public or private program are clearly organized with adjacencies for visitors, staff and service. The relocated mural feature is a worthwhile informational and conversational element. The stone facades at the public entry anchor the building and allude to a more historic structure that was followed by additions. The articulated timber framing at the entrance attracts one’s eye, yet one wonders if it could have continued down and visually opened up the entrance.
Honor Awards
Longwood Farm – Ralph C. Fey, AIA Architects, Ralph C. Fey, AIA
Evolution of the Farmhouse
The original barn and house were built in the late 1700’s as part of a William Penn land grant. The simple stone house evolved gradually with the new additions boasting taller windows & doors and more gracious interiors. Somehow the small summer kitchen remained. This renovation saw the expansion of the kitchen with reclaimed timber supporting the new walls. A mudroom and garage were added as well. The traditional stone farmhouse turns inward, closed off from the landscape. As a remedy, a new sunroom was added to the home. The open sunroom, with true timber beams and walls of glass, now engages the rear yard.
Revival of the Barn
After years of disrepair, the barn reached its limit when a tree tore through half of it. The ambitious renovation sought to reuse the original stone ruins and compliment it with a new wood addition. Out of veneration for the barn’s history the ventilation slits (shown below) were infilled with glass and highlighted throughout the space. To the fullest extent possible, the original stone ruins were left intact and exposed. The stone portion of the barn can be seen here (right) and the complimentary wood addition is shown below. Modern construction allowed for a reimagining of the interior space as an open floor plan with gracious windows.
Juror’s Comments
The barn restoration/ addition is a stand-alone project that is also an award winner. The honest dialogue between existing and new in the barn along with the highlighted ventilation detail help to increase the richness of the structure’s history. These projects breathe new refreshing life into historic structures without taking away any of the original which is not easy. The sunroom helps to continue to differentiate the front and the back concept. The sunroom with the reclaimed wood beam effectively stiches the addition to the existing, one wonders if larger glass units would have helped tell the story of the increased size of glass units historically that is mentioned in the narrative.
Honor Awards
Fireline Road – Ralph C. Fey, AIA Architects, Ralph C. Fey, AIA
Contemporary Country Barn
This project was conceived as a pastoral retreat from the clients’ New York City loft. It warranted a deep connection with nature, rich materials, and a breathable space. Elements of wood, stone, and metal create a tactile, warm atmosphere in the midst of high ceilings and unbounded views. This open two story volume is a modern expression of the barns of Bucks County with an open floor and a souring, vaulted ceiling. The “barn” is evident in the overall shell of the house but is challenged by the lack of traditional wood timber framing, which was replaced with long spans of steel. The result is a space that breathes: The comfort of the farmhouse with all the light, views, and openess it rarely receives. The new residence sits on the existing foundation and retains elements of the existing house. While many improvements were made, the original entry remains as a memento of the existing home. In adapting this new design, the building grew in height to take advantage of the tremendous views and to accept the moving sun at all points of the day. The house, which sits at the crest of hilltop, is then set on a terraced deck, elevating it above the landscape. The thoughtful joining of spaces creates a functional, livable floorplan where rooms are deliniated by changes in height or gestures of exposed structure. The staircase, in keeping with the home, embraces the “modern farmhouse” feel with elements of steel and wood.
Juror’s Comments
This is the most transformative project of all the submissions. It is commendable to reuse and not just demolish the existing home. The before and after images are remarkable and it is a credit the architects gained the trust of the client to reimagine the existing house. The interior views to the landscape are important to understand how the design frames nature from multiple areas and levels of the house. This is just a good house and it is not slavish to farmhouse or barn typologies.
