Restoring a Red Barn

Charlottesville is a vibrant city nestled in a patchwork of farmland. It’s a cultural crossroads, where the ancient colonial world met the gateway to the American west, and where a thriving university community meshes with its still-pastoral setting. Take any road out of town, and you’re reminded. As the rolling hills unwind, off-kilter hay sheds share fields with extravagant equestrian facilities. To the east, if you’re lucky, you might spot an old tobacco barn — tall, narrow, and covered in spindly planks of old-growth wood. To the west, the Germans brought the bank barn, with thick rock foundations set into the foothills of the mountains. Barns are a powerful marker of culture. Despite our rich fabric of old agricultural oddities, one kind of barn remains ubiquitous, here, and everywhere. With its deep red paint, crossbuck doors, and big gambrel roof, the red barn is an icon. 

We’ve started restoring one in western Albemarle, and our process has revealed some of the magic behind this authentically American style. The barn in question was used for hay storage, livestock, and wine-making over the course of its life. Now, we’re converting it into a tasting barn, adding to the extensive list of upscale wine facilities in the Monticello American Viticultural Area. The skilled design professionals at Sutphin Architecture envisioned offices, a kitchen, and restrooms in the wings of the barn; the central volume will serve as the tasting room for the public. We’ll build a fireplace at one end, and install seamless glass skylights along the entire ridge of the roof. 

Before digging into any details, we stripped off the siding to do a structural assessment with our engineering partner, Tony Pace of Nolen Frisa Associates. What we uncovered was a “stick-framed” barn that used extensive diagonal roof bracing to maintain a completely open central volume. This early-20th century technique freed the builders from the cost and heft of traditional hewn beams, and freed farmers from the restrictions of permanent interior partitions. Bale lofts and livestock stalls came and went as needed, without any effect on the structure. The tasting room will continue to take advantage of the cathedral-like space in the center of the barn.

We didn’t find any serious structural issues with the intriguing framing, but with nearly 50 feet of glass to be installed at the peak of the roof, our team decided to err on the side of caution and reinforce the barn with steel. Because the supports outline the open area up to the peak of the roof, this wasn’t as simple as setting posts and spanning a beam across the gap. The steel structure arrived in halves, each half tracing one wall and one slope of the roof. Installation required removing sections of the barn’s foundation wall, sliding the steel into place horizontally, erecting it with a lift, setting it in concrete, and supporting it with temporary wood framing until its mirrored partner arrived to complete a self-supporting archway. Seven of these arches were erected, and then connected to each other with horizontal beams woven into and behind the latticework of original wood framing. 

It’s a solution that’s becoming increasingly popular in historical and restoration work. Alexander Nicholson reinforced Carr’s Hill, the President’s House at the University, with gigantic steel trusses. In Warsaw, Virginia, The Menokin Foundation is using glass and steel to stabilize the ruins of an important 18th century Palladian mansion. Steel reinforcement only needs a few points of contact to support a building, whereas modifying original framing is costly, intrusive, and potentially destructive. With steel, old and new can be clearly delineated, and original materials are left largely untouched, extending their life and preserving their historic integrity. At our red barn, steel let us preserve our open space while avoiding the cost and aesthetic implications of modifying original framing. The owner, trained as an interior designer, plans to retain the rustic look of the barn’s ceiling as part of the final design, which she developed with architect H. Adams Sutphin.

When it’s finished, the restored barn will serve a revitalized Oakencroft Farm. Under the direction of the DN Batten Foundation, Alexander Nicholson has spent the past three years contributing to the transformation of Oakencroft into a sustainable, bio-diverse model for the future of agriculture in Virginia. In partnership with Nolen Frisa Associates, Sutphin Architecture, and Waterstreet Studio, we’re building infrastructure for solar power and water collection, a winemaking facility, two residences, and a conference center where owner Dorothy Batten will invite conservationists, farmers, students, and policy-makers to meet and plan for a bio-conscious future. She’s implemented award-winning clean grazing practices, native habitat restoration, and a Bio-Char crop treatment that sequesters carbon and invites micro-organisms back into the soil. The project builds on Oakencroft’s legacy as the birthplace of Virginia’s wine industry, where then-owners Felicia and John Rogan established the Monticello American Viticultural Area. The Rogans’ winemaker, Phillip Ponton, is still at the helm of Oakencroft’s winemaking operation. He’s now assisted by Jessica Trapeni, who runs a wine testing laboratory. Her husband, Logan Collins, is Oakencroft’s farm manager. You’ll be able to taste their sustainably-produced Oakencroft wines in 2022.

Follow along with us over the next few months to learn more about the DN Batten Foundation’s ecological initiatives and Alexander Nicholson’s work at Oakencroft Farm. 

The New St. Thomas Aquinas Church - pt.2

This is the second and final chapter in our blog series about the construction of the new St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Alderman Road.

When construction of the new church began, our team started planning for the integration of steel, concrete, and modern mechanicals with traditional stone, brick, and copper. The first big challenge came in the form of the wettest weather in Charlottesville’s history. Despite an unprecedented number of unworkable days due to mud and water, the site was finally prepared and the foundations were poured. Next, the building’s steel frame was erected to support the massive dome over the completely open worship hall, requiring precision crane work.

To create the church’s detailed Romanesque exterior, red brick was laid in rounded arches, curved walls, and other custom ornamental bond patterns. Alexander Nicholson is especially grateful for our relationship with M3 Masonry, who carried out the beautiful work under our direction. They battled freezing temperatures to complete the church’s exterior and keep the project moving forward. To enclose the building, our partner Lynch Roofing installed the largest copper roof in Charlottesville. Their amazing work features an octagonal dome capped by a copper cupola, as well as a completely rounded copper half-dome covering the church’s apse. The unusual geometries required days of custom work executed by hand. 

On the interior, Dan and Calvin managed a massive team of subcontractors, both local and international. Our partners at PD Interiors supplied and carefully installed synthetic stone at the church’s archways and columns. The lightweight material allowed for dramatic Romanesque shapes that would’ve been impossible to create in solid stone. Rugo Stone, who supplied the hand-carved capitals for the Rotunda at the University, provided genuine Italian marble for a number of interior furnishings at St. Thomas Aquinas, including the beautifully carved altar and ambo at the head of the worship space. 

Worthington Architectural Millwork built intricate niches for Catholic imagery, as well as massive paneled cabinets for the church’s organ pipes. Alexander Nicholson’s own carpenters completed a significant portion of the detailed interior finishes. In the center of the building, the octagonal dome was painted with gilded stars on a bright blue sky, making for a surreal experience that recalls Jefferson’s plans for mapping constellations on the dome of the Rotunda. In the Church’s words, the overall visual experience “lifts the mind and heart to god.” 

Even for those not affiliated with Catholicism, or even Christianity, the experience is awe-inspiring and sublime. Beautiful spaces are universally meaningful and uplifting. This building is a wonderful expression of Alexander Nicholson’s belief that “craftsmanship matters.” We are incredibly proud to have contributed to such an important local structure. Our team is passionate about catering to the exacting needs of each of our customers, but we especially enjoy building for our community. The new St. Thomas Aquinas church will serve over 4000 Catholic students and professors at UVA. Calvin Johnson, our superintendent, said that the construction of St. Thomas Aquinas was the most challenging project of his career. “But,” he added, “it was definitely the most rewarding.” 

At the Church’s dedication ceremony on September 20th, 2020, our own Dan Fagan was asked to enclose a relic in the church’s marble altar, marking the official completion of the project and the beginning of a new chapter for the Church, as well as for Alexander Nicholson. We look forward to our next challenge, our next opportunity to partner with the local Catholic community, and our next chance to make a difference in Charlottesville. 

If you would like to learn more about the church, the design, and it’s dedication day, please visit their website https://stauva.org/our-church-building .

The New St. Thomas Aquinas Church - pt.1

Alexander Nicholson recently completed construction of a new church for St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish in Charlottesville. Head south on Alderman Road towards the University - a copper dome and cupola rise from the hilltop. After years of gradual expansion on the site, this is the University Parish’s final church. We built it with eternity in mind. It will serve UVA’s catholic congregation forever. The striking new building is the culmination of our decades-long relationship with the local Catholic community. 

This is the first in a two part blog series about the construction of the new church.

Alexander Nicholson’s relationship with the Catholic community started in the late 90’s, when our founders were hired to build the first phase of what became Charlottesville Catholic School. In the subsequent three decades, we’ve expanded the school to include a chapel, gym, STEM lab, art room, and music room, all designed to serve more than three hundred students. 

In 2013, Alexander Nicholson was given the opportunity to build a Priory across the street from the original St. Thomas Aquinas Church on Alderman Road. Inspired by the cloistered monasteries of Medieval Europe, the building provides living, worship, and study space for eight Dominican Friars. The traditional architectural style represented a shift from the modernism of the original St. Thomas church, and hinted at the direction of future construction. 

The old St. Thomas Aquinas

The Priory

A few years later, the University Parish consulted with Train Architects, a frequent collaborator of ours, on the feasibility of renovating and updating the existing St. Thomas Aquinas church building to house a larger congregation. With the help of Train, the congregation and leadership soon realized they had loftier ecclesiastical aims. One parishioner had a personal connection with the recently revived practice of Cram and Ferguson Architects, a Boston firm that spurred a national craze for religious architecture and traditional hand-craftsmanship over a century ago. (Cram and Ferguson guided construction at West Point, Princeton, Virginia Military Institute, and Virginia Tech, as well as hundreds of churches across the nation including St. John the Divine and St. Thomas in New York City.) Inspired by the firm’s fabulous historical work, the University Parish commissioned Cram and Ferguson to design a church for the ages. Train Architects would act as the architect of record, and Alexander Nicholson would carry out construction. 

The final design for the new St. Thomas Aquinas church was informed by local history, Catholic tradition, and constant technical input from Train Architects and Alexander Nicholson. Every notable building that goes up in the vicinity of the University of Virginia is subjected to unprecedented architectural scrutiny. The American Institute of Architects considers the Rotunda and Academical Village “the greatest achievement in American architecture.” Complete imitation has never really been accomplished, flagrant disregard has always been met with pushback, and aiming for the middle has produced middling, forgettable results time and time again. St. Thomas Aquinas church posits a new solution: Romanesque architecture.

The Romanesque’s visual vocabulary of domes and arches, a stylistic relative of the University’s classicism, sits well in the Charlottesville context, while still serving the church’s ecclesiastical mission of “expressing beauty, permanence, and transcendence. Red brick, light-colored cast stone trim, and an octagonal dome are meaningful and striking elements for a traditional European church, but they’re also subtle offerings to Mr. Jefferson, gently reflecting the church’s mission to serve the University. The cruciform plan, carved tympanum, and domed apse fit into Charlottesville’s architectural tradition when rendered in familiar materials by Alexander Nicholson’s best local trade partners. With thorough planning and methodical process, we were able to construct a thousand-seat church at the edge of Grounds.

Achieving such meaningful architectural results required extensive management and oversight. While Cram and Ferguson led the aesthetic direction of the project, Charlottesville’s Train Architects turned design drawings into working drawings. Bill Adams and Tom Keogh carefully reviewed, thought-out, and drew every single detail of the building, from steel framing to wood trim to mechanical equipment. Beautiful ideas were distilled into beautiful technical solutions. In this initial planning phase, Dan Fagan, one of Alexander Nicholson’s two Principals, and Calvin Johnson, our most senior Superintendent, provided preconstruction services. Their experience in the world of large-scale commercial contracting helped the team review constructability within scheduling, pricing, and logistical constraints. They also consciously laid the foundation for a positive, trusting relationship between themselves, the client, and the architects. Dan and Calvin would be personally committed to this project for the next two years. 

Next week, we’ll be back with the second chapter in our series on St. Thomas Aquinas church. Don’t forget to check back for an in-depth look at the lavish interiors of the worship space.

New Life for an Old Barn

There’s something about Charlottesville. Once you’ve lived here, walked the Lawn, and seen the Blue Ridge, you’re part of a community, and you’ll always be able to call this place home. It’s a story we hear from so many clients. They came back to raise a family. They came back for retirement. Or they never left. They feel a connection to Virginia, to Charlottesville, and to the red brick, the standing seam, the rustic barn, or the front porch. The enduring architecture that dots our landscape is part of the experience. It’s a unique blend of southern charm, rural vernacular style, and local creative initiative.  

In the Spring of 2020, a new client reached out to us with a familiar vision. They’d bought a farm west of town. They wanted to turn it into a “generational property.” Somewhere their family could always call home. 

It just so happened that their new farm was already a generational property for Alexander Nicholson. Thirty years ago, our founders added a farm manager’s apartment onto an old horse barn set in the rolling hills of the property. 

Now, the new owners saw potential in the original section of the barn. With a little work, they knew it could be a gathering place for their grown children and extended family -  a place to drink, eat, sleep, read, and be together for the holidays. In this new golden age of Virginia libations, party barns and event barns are de rigueur - Alexander Nicholson has built several - but this would be our most ambitious barn conversion yet. The clients were passionate about preserving the historic character and rustic feel of the barn while seamlessly integrating luxurious finishes, light-filled spaces, and modern amenities. 

When an owner has such a bold vision - that creative spark so often found in Charlottesville - the selection of a good architect is imperative. Design professionals partner with you to capture your dreams, and partner with us to bring them to fruition. For this project, the owners selected Tom Flach of Kohlmark Flach Architects - someone we hadn’t worked with before. With creative input from the owners every step of the way, Tom drew brilliant plans for a restored barn with hidden rooms, salvaged wood, and dramatic expanses of glass. There would be a room for whiskey, a room for wine, and room for the whole family to gather. 

Such a detailed project demanded skilled hands and traditional construction experience; we brought in Garrett Irwin (left) as Superintendent and Max Henderson (right) as Project Manager. Garrett is a master carpenter and conscientious team leader. Max has a lifetime of experience managing the construction of homes in Virginia. Together, they helped guide the owners through the entire renovation process. For Garrett and Max, every detail had to exceed the owner’s expectations, as well as those they set for themselves.

The project started with an entire week of concrete demolition. Garrett and his team took three hour shifts on the jackhammer, removing an 8-inch thick slab of concrete on the ground floor. Next came the careful removal of the original siding, as well as the 1 ¾” thick oak boards that lined the interior of the barn. We saved both for re-use. With the barn down to its frame, we could fully assess its structural integrity. 

As with any historic building, oddities and out-of-date building techniques had to be sympathetically addressed. With the help of Steve Barber of DMWPV Engineers, we removed and replaced both gable ends of the barn, and reframed the entire second floor hayloft to create the family’s new gathering space. A structural collar was added, belting in the weight of the new second floor. Structural beams and columns were installed to make way for massive new window openings. 

With the barn stabilized, cleaned, and inspected, it was time for the owners’ vision to come to life. New glass entry doors let light in from each end of the barn, which is refracted through the dark bars and beams of the original horse stalls. We poured and polished a new concrete slab on the first floor - a classed-up homage to the original. The entryway opens into a hallway of original horse stalls, which define the new floor plan. To the left, a floating stairway is made from massive reclaimed wooden beams. Above, the original hay bale loft was repurposed as a balcony, complete with its original bale lift pulley as a decorative element. 

Down the hall and behind an original sliding door, one horse stall became a whiskey room. It features a copper sink, copper shelving, and a private bar built from reclaimed wood. Opposite is the “tack room,” an elegant restroom with equestrian inspiration and custom cabinetry built from more reclaimed wood. In the back, there’s a guest bedroom with bunks made from salvaged structural beams, closets behind hidden doors, and a wine cellar in the hallway. Throughout the entire first floor, walls are covered with the thick oak boards we salvaged at the beginning of the project. Instead of putting them back exactly as we found them, we flipped them over, concealing the worn, painted, horse-kicked side and revealing beautiful raw patinated wood that’d been preserved behind the wall for 70 years. 

On the second floor, the dark, whiskey-tinged tones of aged wood give way to a bright, airy living loft with space for the entire family. White clapboards cover the walls and roof eaves. It’s a dramatically light-filled room interspersed with rustic details. Reclaimed floors from The Heartpine Company match a few original structural timbers at the edges of the space. The entire loft is open, flowing out into the landscape at each gable-end through massive arched windows. 

Under one roof eave, facing you as you reach the top of the stairs, there’s a lush kitchen in shades of white, cream, and gold. Beyond the antique dining table in the center of the room, a wood stove and small sitting area are tucked into a triple dormer window. On the opposite side, two sets of French doors open onto a pair of crows-nest balconies that overlook the property. Between the two balconies is one of the owner’s most ingenious ideas: a jewel-box powder room disguised as a fresh stack of birch firewood.

For a single open loft, the owner and architect managed to create intimate spaces for every family member and for every situation. Refuge from the weather by a fire, outlook over the landscape, tucked-away nooks for reading, and the reassuring feeling of being sheltered by the strong, traditional frame of the barn roof. Combined with the highly detailed first floor, the space offers a rich experience for an individual or a large group. It demands that time be spent exploring and enjoying the architecture and the land. It’s a fitting landmark on a property that the family hopes to always call home. 

Every detail of this project required the exacting attention of our team and our subcontractors. Unusual materials, tight spaces, complicated framing, and massive windows made for daily challenges and daily rewards for everyone involved. We are proud of our work, stand by our craftsmanship, and wish the family generations spent together in their beautiful barn. 

As a Charlottesville community builder, we are passionate about creating special spaces for local families. If you’re interested in starting your own project, please reach out to us. We’d be honored to help you every step of the way. 

Checking In with Sean Ray

Sean Ray has been a carpenter with Alexander Nicholson for three years. Sean moved to Charlottesville with his parents as a teenager. Before coming to Virginia, Sean’s family lived in Colorado, as well as Daytona Beach, Florida, where he was born. Sean has never lost his ties to the ocean. He’ll take any chance he can get to be near the water. Today, he lives just outside of town with his fiancé, Stephanie, and their two children. 

During his time at Alexander Nicholson, Sean has put his carpentry skills to the test on a number of high-end residences, but favorite project so far has been an elegant dock on a farm pond. It features a curved viewing platform connected to a fishing pier by a floating serpentine walkway. Sean loves challenging himself and exploring new woodworking techniques.  

Sean’s favorite thing about working at Alexander Nicholson is the camaraderie. At Alexander Nicholson, employee social events and collaboration between departments is just the beginning. We look for natural team players who care about doing the right thing for their teammates and their community. Sean takes this to heart, playing a leading role at company events and lifting up everyone he works with. 

When Sean isn’t at work or on a beach sipping a Corona with lime, he’s wrenching on cars. Like a lot of us, he enjoys learning about how things are put together. If it has a motor, he can get it running. In Sean’s words, “I like doing what people say can’t be done.”  

Sean’s technical abilities and positive attitude have made him a valuable part of our team!  

Thanks for your hard work, Sean! 

Sean at one of our outdoor company events!

Light House Studio: Expanded Community Engagement

Light House Studio is a Charlottesville non-profit organization that offers filmmaking classes to young people, empowering them with the skills and confidence to thrive as storytellers and citizens. Alexander Nicholson is proud to have contributed to their effort. We recently completed a contemporary three-story addition at Light House Studio’s Vinegar Hill Theater.

Alexander Nicholson has spent several years rejuvenating Light House Studio’s downtown headquarters. The new addition, the final stage of our transformative project, takes advantage of a steeply sloped site overlooking the intersection of Water Street and Ridge Street. Two levels of learning space are tucked into the hillside behind a new glass entrance hall. Inside, a dramatic industrial stairwell leads to a pair of classrooms that feature a permanent greenscreen, numerous computer stations, and areas for creative collaboration. A third-floor terrace offers young filmmakers a dedicated spot for outdoor shots and elevated views of the city.

 The thoughtful building expansion was envisioned by Wolf / Ackerman Architecture + Design, a local firm with a commitment to community service. Their team specified materials and construction techniques that balanced Light House Studio’s functional and creative needs. Alexander Nicholson was happy to work with a trusted design partner to bring the project to life.

Several months after beginning construction on the addition, the reality of the coronavirus pandemic set in. Project Manager Drew Dunnington was faced with significantly extended material lead-times, and the responsibility of managing the health of everyone on site. Careful scheduling decreased exposure risk and kept the project on track.

With the new spaces now ready for primetime, Light House Studio will be able to expand its influence, offering filmmaking classes to more young people than ever before.  

If you’re interested in building in the community, reach out to us!

Keeping Up With Chris Davis

Chris Davis is a project supervisor at Alexander Nicholson, and has been with the company since 2004. Above all, Chris enjoys building large, high-end custom homes with lots of unique details. Working at Alexander Nicholson gives him that opportunity.

“My favorite project was one where we built a 45-ton wooden bridge, then picked up a farmhouse to move it to another location on the farm. Then we built a large farm center to house cattle and equipment on the property. Finally, we built a large custom home with a lot of detail and a complicated landscape. Work like that is really rewarding and gives us a result that is really fun to show,” Chris said.

“Being part of the A/N team is like having another family. In some weeks I see more of my work family than my real family! We have our disagreements and different ways of doing things, but at the end of the day I feel like we all have each others’ back and there is always someone there to help when needed.”

When he’s not at work, Chris enjoys hunting, watching football, and being outside as much as possible with his family. 

Stone English Tudor Home in Keswick

Alexander Nicholson is committed to developing lasting relationships with every client.  We have constructed two homes for this family in the past. When the same clients approached Alexander Nicholson with their desire for a downsized, lower-maintenance home crafted with the care and attention to detail they had come to expect from our team, we eagerly rose to the challenge. Project Manager Mike Boggs and Site Superintendent Chris Graves led a 16-month effort to fulfill the detailed wishes of the clients. According to Boggs, “from the foundation and framing on, every aspect had to be thoroughly thought out and planned.”

Beautiful and skillfully detailed blueprints were drawn by Dalgliesh Gilpin Paxton Architects, calling for restrained elegance; the home is designed in a clean, contemporary English Tudor style, lending itself to the compact and low-maintenance requests of the client.

The Alexander Nicholson team integrated high-quality traditional materials with the best in modern conveniences. Cast stone, known for its use in the geometric tracery and trim found on the exterior of American Gothic chapels and university buildings, was employed at Mandeville to achieve Classically detailed interior walls, complete with arched niches, stone cornice and mantle, massive keystones, and a large curved hearth. Interior flooring and exterior patio surfaces are laid in genuine Travertine marble imported from Turkey, complete with its characteristic mottled and textured surface. The roof is finished in clay tile for an exceptionally long life. Final touches included motorized window shades recessed into the ceilings of the house, along with a host of other automated features integrated into the home’s electronics.

Alexander Nicholson is thrilled with the outcome of this project and is incredibly excited for the family!

Clients’ Vision Inspires Living Space out of 1950s Horse Barn

Who knew a horse barn could be converted into an appealing place to eat, drink, study, and exercise?

The barn was built on this beautiful property in Albemarle County in the 1950s and housed stallions. In 1998 the owners decided they needed to update the structure. Alexander Nicholson did the work on that project, renovating the structure into a modern, functional horse barn. Twenty-two years later, the new owners invited us back doing a complete flip of the space into a space for the clients to enjoy in a different way.

The clients were inspired to convert the horse barn into a gym, bar, study, library, and dining area. We were up to the challenge. Our superintendent Garrett has artfully worked with the owners to make their dreams a reality. They wanted to keep the existing structure and stalls intact and our team worked hard to make that happen. Great additions like hidden doors and large lumber accents were also added. Garrett said, “working with the homeowners has been fun because they have amazing ideas.”

Barn Transformation Leads to Perfect Wedding Venue

When a four-time repeat client comes to us with a new project, it’s a no-brainer. The owners had a wedding coming up and wanted to turn a barn into a space for future events. The team, including DGP Architects and the clients, worked hard to make the concept a reality.

Allan Pettit, Alexander Nicholson Project Manager said, “This makes the fifth project that we have completed for this same owner. It was great to be able to bring the old team back together and knock one out of the park.”

Since the project had a strict timeline, we needed to put together a team that had specific skills and were willing to work under the pressure of the time restraints. The project’s superintendent, John Ouimette, led the team well. A man of many talents, John was able to handle the challenges that came along with the transformation. John’s son JP, a summer-time Alexander Nicholson employee, along with the four other Alexander Nicholson team members worked extremely well together. Allan said “[The] most interesting for me was the transformation from pretty rough pole barn to a place that people would be excited to get married.”

Once the project wrapped up, the wedding prep started. The wedding went off without a hitch and the clients were very pleased.

Carr's Hill Wins Multiple Awards for Historic Preservation

We are pleased to announce that Alexander Nicholson has been recognized for our work on the historic renovation of Carr’s Hill, the president’s residence at the University of Virginia. The American Institute of Architects of both Richmond and Virginia bestowed historic preservation awards on the project. The project also received an award from the International Interior Design Association of Virginia. We were honored to work on this project with Glave & Holmes Architecture, John G. Waite Associates, and Wolf Josey landscape architects.

AIA Richmond - Historic Preservation Award

https://aiarva.org/aia-richmond-2020-awards-ceremony/

AIA Virginia - Historic Preservation Award

https://www.aiava.org/2020-design-awards-announced/

IIDA Virginia/West Virginia Chapter/ASID IDEAS Awards - Historic Preservation Award

IIDA Virginia & West Virginia Chapter

Photo credit: Virginia Hamrick Photography

Site for Wellness Services Renovated in the Old Coca-Cola Warehouse

With wellness alternatives becoming more popular, this was a great time for Well Room to come on the scene. Owner and medical director Megan Kingdon wanted customers to be able to get treatment but also hang out, shop, and ask the consultants their questions, in a welcoming neighborhood space.

Alexander Nicholson’s Michael Boggs and his team worked with Kristin Cory Consulting to best utilize the entire space. They were able to incorporate the over 100-year-old ceiling beam and the exposed brick wall in their plans, leaving hints of the history of the former Coca-Cola warehouse.

“Michael and his team had great attention to detail.” — Kingdon

Created in this space were multiple spaces for IV therapy, a sauna, cryotherapy, and spray tannings. Guests walk in and feel at ease in the spacious main room. The entry space holds a multitude of apothecary products including benches with built-in storage in a café style hangout area.

“Michael and his team had great attention to detail,” said Kingdon of the project. To learn more about the business or book services, visit https://www.wellroomva.com

Historical Renovations: How are they different?

Charlottesville and the surrounding areas have a lot of history behind them. We asked the Alexander Nicholson team what makes historical renovations different from other types of projects. Here’s what they said:

1. Being able to adapt is important. Going into the start of the project with an open mind is key. There are definitely different problems that arise with an older building. You may need to implement things you would not ordinarily.

2. Be willing to take the time to find the subcontractors who are able to accomplish the specific tasks that need to be done. Finding carpenters is important in that process. You are trying to put something back together that was built many years earlier, so special care is needed.

3. Patience. Historical renovations are generally longer projects and more calculated ones, too.

4. To be more calculated, clients generally should have (or the contractor will help curate) contingency plans. This helps with possible unforeseen issues you may run into.

5. Overall, finding the right architect and contractor is a must. Some have much more experience with historical details, and those are the ones you want working on your project.

Belmont House Renovation Designed by Wolf Ackerman

The most exciting part of our work is making the vision of our client and their architect come to life. The vision for this project took a small home built in 1912 in the Charlottesville city neighborhood of Belmont, and expanded it with a completely modern addition.

The owner wished for a modern kitchen and bathroom to complement the original structure. The project necessitated the demolition of the back third of the house, and the addition of a 26’x14’ modern cube to contain the new rooms. A giant, 12’ wide door with clear glass panes and slats of exotic, oiled wood give the exterior a noteworthy finish, a signature look of the Wolf Ackerman architecture firm.

To make the owner’s dream reality, Alexander Nicholson needed to rebuild the original floor system. In 1912, the way floors were commonly built was with bricks directly on dirt. A hundred years later, the mortar used to hold that structure together had turned into sand. Alexander Nicholson supported the whole house, removed the foundation, and rebuilt it before beginning the project.

The finished product is a big update on a vintage home, that meets the needs and desires of the homeowner.

Five Things To Consider When Choosing A Home Builder

We asked members of the Alexander Nicholson team what they think people should consider before selecting a home builder. Here’s what they had to say:

1. Your builder should be available to lead you through the process, communicating with you throughout

2. Choose a builder with a lot of experience. On our team, there are several members with more than thirty years in the field. That benefits the rest of the team as we come together to discuss projects and problem solve.

3. Is there a culture of transparency between the builder and its clients? Talking to some of the builder’s previous clients will reveal that. Many of our clients come from personal referrals.

4. Will the builder be there to help you realize your vision? We believe strongly that we’re there to help execute the vision of the owner and the architect, and bring to the table our expertise in making that happen safely, cost-effectively, and with the highest quality.

5. How often and when does your builder communicate internally, and how often will they communicate with you? At Alexander Nicholson, we not only have weekly meetings, but are in touch with each other frequently, in an effort to keep projects moving smoothly forward.

We hope the advice of our experienced team helps you in your selection of a builder for your next home.

Gorgeous Custom Home with Unique Finishes

This single-family residence was all new construction for clients who had a very distinct vision. The plan for the home concentrated on the use of natural light. To get the desired effect, the architect designed a long, one-room wide house, which ensures magnificent views from every room. Special features included glass towers and polished concrete floors. Steel construction created the framework for the house to have large window openings, allowing for light to pour in and for unobstructed views of the countryside. This unique house, designed by Train Architects, is unlike any other we have ever built.

“Alexander Nicholson was recommended enthusiastically by our architect.”

When our clients began building their forever home, they wanted to work with Train Architects. They had worked with Kirk Train on a previous home and so knew of his exacting standards.

“We needed to find a builder Kirk would be able to work with. I’m grateful that we found Alexander Nicholson because the level of complexity that this project presented required working through a lot of uncertainty,” said the homeowner. “Alexander Nicholson was recommended enthusiastically by our architect.”

The house has many unique features, requiring study, care, and caution.

“Allan (Pettit) was exceptional in his appetite for taking on more unusual features,” the homeowner said.

“The home includes many high-end finishes including shiplap with flush conditions, eighth inch reveals, very detailed features of the plan that are very different from other houses. This required attention to detail that most builders don’t possess. Allan and John (Oimette) were really extraordinary with the very fine points of the plan.”

Friends of the owners had worked with Alexander Nicholson and in addition to Train Architects, recommended the builder based on the level of organization they offered. “Alexander Nicholson was always able to share the schedule and the budget with confidence. That, in addition to their workmanship, made it a great project, overall,” said the homeowner.

We think you’ll agree the results are incredible.

UPDATE: Alexander Nicholson's Phase 2 Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic

As always, the safety of our people, our partners, and our clients is foremost in our minds. When the Commonwealth of Virginia entered Phase 2 of the COVID-19 safety guidelines on June 5, 2020, not much changed from our Phase 1, Stay At Home Order policies.

At Alexander Nicholson, we continue with safety measures for our employees and subcontractors including:

· Requiring workers to have a face mask in their possession at all times;

· Requiring workers to maintain 6’ of distance with the exception of tasks that require less distance. Masks must be worn for any task that requires close work.

All work locations affiliated with Alexander Nicholson including office and field, continue to be supplied with sanitizing spray, accessible hand washing stations; in addition to providing and having available face masks at all locations.

We continue to encourage office staff to work remotely, but employees are permitted to work in the office if necessary. If working in the office staff must wear a mask at all times and surfaces must be wiped down after use. 6’ of distance applies in the office as well as in the field. In addition, the office is fogged with disinfecting agents by Charlottesville Earthly Cleaning. The Alexander Nicholson office remains closed to the public.

Upgrade Your Outdoor Living this Summer

Spending a lot of time at home may make you dream about what your outdoor living space could look like. Alexander Nicholson has built many pools, pool houses and outdoor living rooms, allowing homeowners to expand their living space right in their own backyards. Add a fireplace to enjoy the space for most of the year. Enclose a pool house and let it double as a home office or gym. If you dream it, we can build it.

Featured partners for this project include landscape architecture by Nelson Byrd Woltz and architecture by Sutphin

Now Open: The River Burger Bar in Downtown Waynesboro

Alexander Nicholson finished the renovation of The River Burger Bar in downtown Waynesboro, Va. right at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Virginia governor’s stay-at-home order. That didn’t stop the community’s enthusiasm for this new restaurant, however. when the Waynesboro burger bar opened for takeout only, they still sold more than 1,000 burgers in the first week. The River is owned by Mandi Smack, co-owner of other popular restaurants, Blue Mountain Brewery, Blue Mountain Barrel House, and South Street Brewery.

Before long, patrons will get a look at the freshly renovated interior when dining-in again becomes an option. The building dates back to 1894 and has had at least six different iterations as restaurants, each one built out over the last. Locals may remember Jake’s Bar and Grill and the Schooner as two somewhat recent versions. The Alexander Nicholson team had to demolish the remnants of all those previous restaurants and take the construction down to the joists and through four layers of subfloor.

Its new, modern look incorporates whitewashed exposed brick, antique barn wood siding, and a fully restored, original tin ceiling.

Job superintendent Garrett Irwin said, “In the kitchen, the original builders had used leftover materials from the tin ceiling to protect the walls. We were able to delicately remove that preserved tin and use it to patch the ceiling and bring it back to its original glory.”

Vast improvements were made to the original bathroom facilities, expanding the rooms and adding sinks (instead of the previous design which was a communal sink outside the restrooms). New electric and plumbing were added, as well.

A signature feature of the new restaurant is a live-edge mahogany bar with a “river” of stones and clear epoxy running through it.

Alexander Nicholson completed the job in under 90 days, bringing the owner’s vision to life, just as she imagined it. Order online for now, and visit in the future, The River Burger Bar, 137 North Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, Va.