Villanova Residence

AS A REFLECTION of childhood Chester County farm memories, this new residence was designed in the spirit of architect R. Brognard Okie’s (1875 – 1945) Arts and Crafts interpretation of the Pennsylvania Farm house. Sited down slope on a 14-acre site within the historic 800 acre Ardrossan estate, the house embraces the visitor approaching from the hill top and then opens out to the valley beneath it for long views on southern exposure. Salvaged field stone is the key to giving the house a softly weathered sense of permanence. The detailing of the stone with seams, ledges and quoins suggests the history of the home growing over time. The plan exhibits both hospitable formality and casual family life for the full spectrum of daily experience.