Adapt and re-use. Two actions important to our practice. Repurposing an existing building is a sustainable choice by making use of the embodied energy within the existing structure. There's a joy that comes from re-using things in new ways, whether it be a historic bank becoming a restaurant or a utilitarian barn becoming offices. This adaptation and re-use requires thoughtful work with the building code and yields transformative results, with a multiplying rather than additive effect.

We preserve and honor the past while designing for the future. From navigating historic tax credits to guiding projects through Board of Architectural Review approvals, we have the expertise to manage regulatory requirements while preserving the unique character of historic structures. Principal Kevin Walker served on Winchester’s Board of Architectural Review for eight years and volunteers with Preservation of Historic Winchester. With his knowledge, we bring deeply rooted, local expertise to every project—ensuring historic properties not only maintain their heritage, but are functional and viable for modern living.

A successful new home project harmonizes our clients intentions, the key site parameters, and an amazing team of craftspeople to create architecture that embraces its surroundings and inspires its occupants.

Homes are typically one of the biggest investments many of our clients make in their lives. Having a trusted partner to navigate the many steps along the way becomes an invaluable asset by providing guidance and support. At Longhouse Architects we cultivate a close and responsive ongoing dialogue with our clients throughout the design process.

Whether we’re working with a delicate historic structure or reimagining a suburban home we view existing buildings as opportunities. With an abundance of beautiful historic buildings in the Northern Piedmont region of Virginia, renovations and additions have become a mainstay of our architectural practice by providing our renovation clients opportunities that new builds cannot. 

After carefully mapping and assessing the house’s existing strengths and challenges, our design work thoughtfully integrates new architectural elements with an existing structure’s original character and its surrounding natural or neighborhood context. We prioritize material reuse and high-performance building envelope upgrades, and can incorporate deep energy retrofits to improve comfort and efficiency while reducing operating costs and carbon footprint.

We passionately believe buildings should make a positive contribution to the health of our shared environment. Our approach to sustainable design is tailored to each client and project, drawing from a broad range of strategies and building-performance philosophies. From high-performance building envelopes and Passive House principles to healthy indoor environments, we work with clients to identify practical, meaningful ways to align design goals with their sustainability priorities.

Principal Kevin Walker is a Phius Certified Consultant with the knowledge and expertise to incorporate Passive House principles and design projects to meet Passive House standards.

Every commercial building project requires an architect. At Longhouse Architects, we have the expertise and creativity to make that investment in your building project work for your business. We work with our clients to develop a design path that navigates building use limitations and constraints to deliver cohesive solutions within the complex landscape of building codes and local regulations. We bring expertise and creativity to every project, helping you make thoughtful use of available resources while creating spaces that reflect your brand, support your people, and serve the way your organization works.