Home & Design

Oversized windows frame views of Old Rag Mountain and forge indoor-outdoor connections.

Painting the exterior a bold scarlet honors the region’s iconic red barns and makes the structure a local landmark.

Merit Award - Contemporary Architecture 2025

Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect
Merit Award Contemporary Architecture
Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect

On a five-acre plot in Etlan, Virginia, a contemporary farmhouse stands out among the rolling pastures—not least for its bold red hue. Designed by architect Robert Gurney, the 1,700-square-foot home features three connected gabled volumes dressed in humble exterior materials, such as clapboard siding, asphalt shingles and corrugated metal. Inside, tall ceilings, large windows and quiet finishes conjure an air of monastic calm, allowing the exquisite scenery to be the main draw.

Architecture: Robert M. Gurney, FAIA, principal; Matt Stephens, project architect; Robert M. Gurney, FAIA Architect. Builder: Fajen & Brown. Landscape Architecture: Campion Hruby Landscape Architects.

“Simplicity describes this home—simplicity of plan, simplicity of form and simplicity of materials.”
Mary-Margaret Stacy, jurist

 

HOME&DESIGN, published bi-monthly by Homestyles Media Inc., is the premier magazine of architecture and fine interiors for the Washington, DC, Maryland and Virginia region.

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The H&D Portfolio of 100 Top Designers spotlights the superior work of selected architects, interior designers and landscape architects in major regions of the US.

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