Awards Cited as among “Top 18 Best Architects in Philadelphia” by Expertise.com in 2020 2020 Best of Houzz for service professionalism for third year 2015 Best of Design Award from Houzz.com 2014 Merit Award from the New Jersey Chapter of American Institute of Architects (AIA-NJ) 2013 Honor Award from the Society of American Registered Architects […]

“A home isn’t simply a refuge – a place of shelter and rest, it’s also a place of prospect – inspiring discovery and growth; a place where one dwells, owning a sense of wholeness.” – Ed Barnhart, principal, AxD A Wholeness Dwelling… Is your “baby” from conception through to delivery, not a hand-me-down of someone […]

“My passion is to create homes where people feel that they truly belong.” – Ed Barnhart, principal, AxD Hi, I’m Ed Barnhart As the architect and founder of Always by Design, let me introduce myself. It was my own quest for wholeness that led me to form AxD in 2005, leaving behind 20 years of […]

Wood There is no material that I love more than wood– with the delights that it provides — from seeing the rich textures of tree bark or the dance of limbs caught by a breeze, to feeling the warmth of boards under foot or massage of woodgrain on fingers. While, in our current climate-change era […]

01 02 03 04 05 06 01 Arriving home is more than simply opening and closing a door. Approaching, we have a sense of anticipation – perhaps catching a glimpse of a tranquil lake that our home faces. Or maybe our approach is slowed by a gracefully curving path or stepping-stones. We find delight in […]

Here are the key steps we’ll take together to realize your home: GatheringDigging deeply into your needs, aspirations, and available resources, while developing an intimate familiarity and respect for your chosen site – as well as, the larger social community and physical environment. AttuningTaking time to fully absorb what has been gathered – to understand […]