We’re excited to announce that 17 West has been awarded an AIA Pennsylvania Design Excellence Award. The project was commended for its “exuberant design with big moves that work”. A big shout out to @gritbuilt for their meticulous craft and @danielisayeff for capturing each moment of the project.
Gnome Architects is thrilled to announce that we have been listed by @forbes as one of America’s Best-In-State Architects 2025! This award is the result of 10 months of in-depth research by Forbes, evaluating over 400 top firms across all states. It highlights architects setting the standard for excellence in custom residential design.
We are honored to be recognized for nearly a decade of dedication to this work. The process of designing a home is intimate and personal: one that begins with listening closely to our client’s needs. As we grow into new areas of work, residential design remains at the heart of who we are. Thank you to everyone who has had a part in this journey; and thank you to our clients who help make the house a home.
On Addison Walk, modern moments lightly touch these two new homes integrating into the charming side street of its historic surrounding.
Brick facades are shaped with subtle detailing around openings. Rectangular dormers with large corner windows frame neighborhood views and bring in natural daylight. Modern interventions mark the inset arched entry with natural-toned metal paneling for a warm welcome home.
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📸: @danielisayeff
#philadelphiarchitecture #arch #architecturephotography #architecture #archlovers #philly #phillyliving #aiaphilly #toparchitects #brick #brickfacade #phillyhomes #residential
Elevator Towers UP & Finishing Up Foundations!
Double checking everything as we prepare for steel coming soon 🏗️
THE FAIRMAN is steadily finding its way out of the ground but can’t be overstated enough that the least glamorous part of a building is also the part everything depends on. Focus on a strong foundation, then full speed ahead.
Lean into your vision!
Join us for Open Studios!
We are opening our doors on Friday, May 8th from 5 to 9pm and inviting you in to see what we have been working on. The studio will feature a range of recent projects, including a close look at the transformation of a historic stone home into a timeless new residence.
Stop by, explore the work, and spend some time with our team. We look forward to seeing you!
With Sugartown Road set to begin construction this week, we wanted to highlight more of the design process and how we created a contemporary addition for this historic stone home. First we started with selective demo of some of the structures that had been added on over the years to make room for the new addition. The footprint of the addition matches the width of the rest of the home, and was pulled in slightly at the connection point, creating a reveal by way of a glass connector. The gable roof was continued out over the addition, and then rotated to clearly set the volume apart from the rest of the home. As construction commences we look forward to sharing more of the process and taking you behind the scenes to see how a project like this comes together.
With 130 N. 3rd breaking ground this week we thought it would be a great time to highlight this and other active projects we are working on in Old City. 130 N. 3rd (Images 1-3) is a 5 story mixed use building, with a ground floor commercial space, and 4 residences above. Each residence occupies an entire floor, giving the units an expansive feel with tons of natural light. 225 Quarry Street (images 4-5) is currently under construction and features 6 floors of boutique residences with underground parking. 148 N. 2nd St (images 6-8) is composed of 3 historic buildings which have been integrated with a new construction 6 story multifamily building. This project will revitalize the historic structures and bring back a vibrant street presence to the block with new commercial spaces along N. 2nd Street. #archlovers #design #architecture #philadelphia #oldcity
Walking by our textured brick facade along N. Front Street in Fishtown. We love designing with brick and testing out new ways to bring depth and texture to one of Philadelphia’s most recognizable building materials.
As projects evolve it can often lead to a shift in vision or aesthetic direction for a space. When we first designed this kitchen our clients were interested in more muted, earth toned kitchen (see last image), but after sitting with the renderings, decided to explore more colorful options.
Our interior design team reimagined the space to bring in more textures and color. From the ceiling details, to the cabinet style and backsplash, the new kitchen design brought a whole new energy to the home. Which kitchen design do you prefer?
At 1533 Sugartown Road, this historic stone home is being thoughtfully restored while a contemporary addition introduces new space for modern living. The approach is intentionally measured, allowing the original structure to remain the focal point while the addition reads as a complementary layer rather than a replacement.
The new volume is expressed with a lighter material palette and clean detailing, creating a quiet contrast to the weight and texture of the existing stone. Connections between old and new are handled with transparency and restraint, maintaining a clear dialogue between the two.
Equally important is how the house sits within its landscape. The addition opens toward the rear, extending living spaces into the garden and creating a natural transition between interior and exterior.
Projects like this are less about transformation and more about stewardship, understanding what should be preserved, and how to thoughtfully build upon it.
#HistoricRenovation #ResidentialArchitecture #AdaptiveReuse #ContextualDesign #MainLineArchitecture GnomeArchitects
Sunday site check in. Framing has officially started on our Main Line custom home
This home features a series of single-pitch rooflines that nod to the Mid-Century Modern architecture the neighborhood is known for—reimagined with a fresh, modern take. As the structure comes together, the design intent is already starting to show through.
Designed by @gnomearch . Excited to keep bringing this one to life. #MainLineHomes #CustomHome #MidCenturyModern #modernarchitecture
A custom coastal home in Wildwood Crest, NJ that blends traditional shore architecture with contemporary design moves.
The form draws from familiar gabled volumes found throughout the area, while subtle shifts in rooflines and detailing give the home a fresh presence on the block. A layered material palette of horizontal siding, shingle cladding, and a stone base adds depth and texture, grounding the house while reinforcing its coastal character.
Covered porches and elevated outdoor spaces extend the living areas beyond the interior, creating shaded places to gather, relax, and enjoy the breeze off the water. It is a design that feels rooted in its context while offering a new interpretation of coastal living.
#WildwoodCrest #CoastalArchitecture #beachhouse #ShoreHome #ResidentialArchitecture
