Wrapping up this barn reno just in time for a break in the weather! The large operable pivot windows won’t disappoint on these beautiful spring days🌞
#mdb #designbuild #partybarn #barnreno #limestonebuilders
FOR THE LOVE OF DOORS! No shortage of custom at our Gambrel House project. Which one are you making your valentine?
#antiquedoors #interiordoors #historic #customhomes #oldnewhouse
Go vote for our ‘Barn at Windover’ project!
We are honored to have been nominated for @archdaily 2026 #buildingoftheyear Awards! This award celebrates architecture and design globally, recognizing the best projects published on @archdaily during the previous year in 15 categories.
We appreciate your support!
LINK IN BIO! 🔗
(Or copy and paste link below into your browser…)
/us/2026/candidates/179564
About the project…
MDB was selected by a wonderful couple to preserve their circa 1860 timber-frame barn. Despite its rough condition, the barn is an integral part of the farmstead and demolishing and/or replacing it was quickly ruled out. We created a plan that would preserve its weathered character while stabilizing the structure and protecting it for the long term.
We estimate that this is the fourth time the building has been rehabbed in its 150+ year life. This most recent intervention will put it well into its next century of life and beyond.
📸 @toddmasonphoto
#buildingoftheyear #archdaily #architecture #design #barn #timberframebarn #timberframing #designaward #princetonnj #princetonarchitecture #princetonhistory
New year, new concepts!
These 3D landscape renderings address our clients need for privacy along a well-traveled road. MDB looked to the past for inspiration, reimagining the historic corn crib as a solution for year-round screening. The structure also serves security and pet safety needs by discreetly housing a sliding driveway gate that fully pockets into the building when open, disappearing from view.
The result is a seamless blend of vernacular form and modern function—preserving the property’s viewshed and the privacy of the house beyond. Welcome, 2026!
#landscapedesi̇gn #design #masterplanning #designbuild #historicbuildings #historicarchitecture #vernaculararchitecture #barn #oldmeetsnew #njdesignbuild #princetonnj
Winters light and a moody palette bringing all the vibes as our Gambrel House Project nears completion!
@shannonconnorinteriors@materialdesignbuild
#oldnewhouse #gambrelhouse #designbuild #materialdesignbuild #interiordesign #interiors #shannonconnorinteriors #design #interiordesign #timberframe
Boo! Happy Halloween ya'll! Big Congrats to friends of the firm @adams.family.films whose new film, MOTHER OF FLIES, was bought by Shudder films and will be available for streaming in 2026! Shot on location throughout the Catskills (including at our Beaverkill Barn and Farmers barns Project). To quote The NY Times: "No one is making bold, weird indie horror quite like the Adams family. From their home in the Catskills, John Adams, his wife, Toby Poser, and their daughter, Zelda Adams, put out stylishly punk-rock scary movies that are as singularly gruesome as they are worthy of a Vogue spread." @shudder@therealluluadams@zeldadams@tobyposer
Thanks so much to @sustainableprinceton for including not one but two of our projects in the 2025 Green Home Tours (our Dempsey ADU and Ranch Rebuild). We had more than 50 folks turn out for tours throughout the day. People had great questions and we had fun showing off our work. Thanks so much to our clients who graciously accommodated the intrusion. #adu #sustainablearchitecture #keepcraftalive #greenbuilding
MDB is hiring for Lead Carpenter and Carpenter roles!
If you are located in either the Central NJ area (Mercer + Hunterdon Counties) or Upstate NY (Sullivan and Western Ulster Counties) you may be qualified for the job! We encourage anyone with experience in all aspects of carpentry and the building trades to apply.
*Check out the link in our bio for more information on the role.
#highperformancebuilding #carpenterjobs #carpentry #nytrades #njtrades #architecture #nowhiring #designbuild #homeconstruction #buildingjobs
Entering the weekend with a look back to another older project—a Princeton-based artist enlisted us to transform a room in their home into a new art studio. The goal? Keep the floor space wide open for creativity and classes, while clever storage around the edges keeps supplies neatly tucked away. We stumbled upon a stunning set of doors @materialcultureinc featuring a relief carving that beautifully echoes the character of the client’s home. We crafted cabinetry that mirrors the door’s finish, even repurposing some basement doors into a stylish wall-hanging unit.
#artstudio #studiospace #designandbuild #openfloorplan #interiordesign #keepcraftalive #reliefcarving #historic #custom #cabinetry #millwork #clientcollab #artist #artisan #workspace #finewoodworking #archdaily
About six years have flown by since MDB transformed an 18th-century barn at Ironbound Farm. The upper level of the building hosts a tasting room, and tucked into the lower levels are offices and areas for production and private use. We carefully stripped away layers of sheetrock to expose the original oak timbers, preserving the barn’s historic character. At the owner’s request, we used reclaimed materials wherever possible–from old high-school bleachers and basketball courts for flooring to salvaged barn wood for the walls.
Outside, guests can unwind in the courtyard or enjoy food fresh off the massive grill, a collaboration with T Johnson Design. The pavilion nearby (inspired by lumber-drying stacks at sawmills) offers shelter for gatherings. It was built using a pile of reclaimed timber from a defunct transfer station. The strong standing orchards are bound to yield exceptional cider for years to come!
#designbuild #design #architecture #construction #farm #custombuilder #NJ #modernconstruction #barnremodel #barnrestoration #restoration #designprocess #buildbetter #designbuildbluffs #longliveourbuildings #architect #lovethisstuff #building #construction #architecturaldesign #historicnj #historicarchitecture #BuiltToPerform #foodspace #regenerativeag #archdaily
Another glance back to an older MDB project. In collaboration with talented designer Meagan Camp (@meagancampinteriors ), we worked on the renovation of a pre-war apartment on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.
We drew inspiration from the elegant curves of the original plaster trim, letting them guide our selection of cabinetry. From the photos you’ll see: 1. An arched wall unit provides additional #display and #storage space. 2. A paneled #banquette wraps the dining room #table, providing ample seating in a small space. 5. The living room features two #window seats flanking a new #fireplace.
#historicrenovation #uppereastsideny #nyarchitecture #plastertrim #respectthepast #simplelines #cabinetry #craftsman #craft #artisan #windowseats #fireplace #diningroom #smallspace #design #interiors #apartmentdesign #finishcarpentry #finehomebuilding #jlc #design #art #thelocalproject #archdaily
