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.”

Renovation of Trinity Episcopal Church in Charlottesville

If you have had the chance to drive or walk down Preston Avenue between 2017 and early 2020, you may have noticed three phases of renovations that occurred at the Trinity Episcopal Church.

The first phase consisted of Alexander Nicholson completing the exterior grading, and adding a retaining wall to create an outdoor worship area, along with an addition of a new playground. This phase was a huge transformation for the church and had the added benefit of solving the many water runoff issues that the church faced for years.

The second phase included a complete refitting of the exterior finishes on the church. All exterior siding, windows, gutters, roofing, painting, exterior HVAC units, and flashings were replaced. During this phase, Alexander Nicholson also completed an upfit of the inside of the statuary steeple.

The third and most recent phase, completed in December of 2019, was the expansion of the sanctuary. The sanctuary was extended out into what was the Narthex, allowing additional seating for up to 50 people. The front porch was enclosed to create the new space for the Narthex as well as entry into the church. There were a lot of design challenges with creating structure for the new extensions and removing bracing walls to open the spaces up.

Garrett Irwin of Alexander Nicholson was the site superintendent, who worked with architects Jim and Cathy Loman. Together they worked very closely to find solutions to challenges in order to keep the project moving progressively forward. Pastor Cass Bailey was involved in all phases and was great to work with throughout the whole project process.

Project in Progress: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church

Project: St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church

History: Alexander Nicholson built the priory for the Dominican friars, including a private chapel and a residence across the street from the church. They also built the Charlottesville Catholic School.

 Architect: Cram & Ferguson and Train Architects

 Alexander Nicholson Superintendent: Calvin Johnson

A/N started a unique and impressive project last year—St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. This extraordinary structure is 16,000 square feet, with buttresses, archways, a brick dome, and every ecclesiastical finish imaginable. The first thing people notice as they drive by or walk up to the project is the grand copper cupola. It’s quite beautiful, and is extraordinary when the sun hits it.

We are currently nearing the halfway point in the project and are working on the framing for the interior arches. The arches will be made using gypsum fiberglass-reinforced drywall. Not only is it less heavy than stone, while still maintaining the same look and feel, it is also less expensive.

 The project design is full of details and finishes that work together to make a magnificent and breathtaking building. The finished building will have a plaster ceiling covered in stars, stained glass windows in the transoms, ornate tile floors, Italian marble furnishings, and woodwork handcrafted in Columbia. And, to fill the church with song, a vintage pipe organ, purchased with funding from an anonymous donor, will be installed.

 The project offers interesting and exciting challenges, all of which are opportunities to learn. These challenges include the construction of Lombard arches and laying complicated brickwork like that found in Romanesque architecture. The framing and brickwork at the dome may be the most complicated Alexander Nicholson has ever undertaken.

“Of all the projects I’ve worked on, this one is by far the fanciest,” project superintendent Calvin Johnson said. “It’s going to be a beautiful church and good for the public—maybe more people will go.”