Browse our completed projects across Loudoun County and Northern Virginia. Each project represents our commitment to quality and client satisfaction.
Why we share our reasoning: Each case study explains the decisions we made and why—because understanding our approach matters as much as seeing our finished work.
The clients wanted a timber frame home on a steep hillside with 180-degree mountain views. We chose Eastern White Pine for the frame because it's locally sourced, takes stain beautifully, and costs 20% less than Douglas Fir. SIP panels were selected over conventional framing because the remote site made minimizing on-site labor critical—SIPs cut enclosure time by 6 weeks.
Challenge: Steep hillside site with limited equipment access; required specialized foundation engineering and crane logistics for timber raising
The owner needed a working horse barn, not a showpiece. We recommended post-frame (pole barn) construction over timber frame because the 80x120 riding arena required clear spans that would have tripled costs in timber. The tack room and office got climate control, but the stalls use natural ventilation—horses stay healthier with airflow.
Challenge: Rural site with no municipal utilities; coordinated well drilling and septic design concurrent with barn construction
Custom estate in-ground pool with precision hardscape
This project was designed to anchor the outdoor living experience to the surrounding landscape. Rather than forcing a dramatic structural feature, the focus was on orientation, balance, and long-term usability. The pool was positioned to capture uninterrupted sunset views across open land, creating a calm visual connection between water, sky, and horizon. A clean rectangular layout was selected to complement the estate architecture while maximizing swim space, durability, and ease of maintenance. The result is a refined outdoor amenity that feels intentional, timeless, and fully integrated into the property rather than imposed on it.
Challenge: Site coordination and elevation control to ensure proper drainage, clean sightlines, and seamless transitions between the pool, surrounding hardscape, and existing landscape features—all while preserving views and maintaining code compliance
Custom estate in-ground pool oriented for panoramic sunset views
Precision elevation control for clean waterlines and long-term performance
Minimalist hardscape design to keep focus on the landscape
The family had young children, so we recommended Trex composite over ipe wood—no splinters, no annual sealing, and a 25-year warranty. The multi-level design wasn't just aesthetic: it separated the cooking zone from the play area and created natural traffic flow for entertaining.
Challenge: Occupied home during construction; phased build to maintain backyard access and minimize disruption to family
14-acre ground-up design-build brewery campus | Aldie, Virginia
This project is a ground-up, design-build brewery campus on 14 acres of raw land in Aldie, VA. The scope covers entitlement, planning, infrastructure, vertical construction, and outdoor amenities—executed under a single point of responsibility to control risk, schedule, and cost.
**Vision:** Create a destination brewery that feels agricultural, permanent, and community-anchored—built to scale over time without disrupting operations.
**Core Program:**
• Brewery Production Facility — Brewhouse, fermentation, cold storage, grain handling with utility-ready slab, floor drains, and future tank expansion zones
• Taproom & Hospitality — High-ceiling taproom with indoor/outdoor flow and commercial kitchen shell
• Outdoor Experience — Covered patios, lawns, fire pits, event space, food truck staging, and live music infrastructure
• Agricultural Aesthetic — Barn-inspired architecture, timber accents, durable materials designed to meet farm-brewery expectations and Loudoun character
**Site & Infrastructure:**
• Master site planning and zoning coordination
• Access roads, parking, stormwater, grading, and utilities
• Septic and well coordination
• Phased layout for future buildings, barrel storage, or event structures
**Design-Build Advantages:** One contract. One team. One budget. Early cost control during design—not after drawings are done. Permitting strategy aligned with Loudoun County requirements. Phased construction plan to preserve capital and optionality.
**End Result:** A scalable, estate-grade brewery campus that opens strong on Day One, supports growth for decades, and becomes a long-term land asset—not just a building.
Challenge: Ground-up development on raw land; coordinated entitlement, ABC licensing, and construction milestones for phased opening
The client wanted rental income from their vineyard property. We designed the cottage as an accessory dwelling on agricultural-zoned land—qualifying for ag exemptions that reduced permit timeline from 4 months to 6 weeks. Douglas Fir was chosen for the frame because it photographs well for vacation rental listings.
Challenge: Accessory dwelling on agricultural-zoned property; navigated agricultural exemptions while meeting residential code for rental use
The client lived in California and couldn't manage their Virginia home build remotely. We served as their on-site representative—attending every meeting, reviewing every invoice, and making day-to-day decisions within pre-approved parameters. The key was documentation: weekly video walkthroughs and detailed cost tracking gave them confidence without requiring their physical presence.
Challenge: Absentee owner (out-of-state client); required complete autonomy with comprehensive documentation and video updates for remote approval
Three mature oak trees dominated the backyard—the client wanted a pool but refused to remove them. We redesigned the pool footprint around the trees' root zones, creating a freeform shape that actually improved the design. The beach entry wasn't in the original plan, but became possible when we shifted the deep end away from the largest oak.
Challenge: Mature tree preservation required; redesigned pool footprint to save 3 specimen oaks while maintaining original vision
40'x100' timber frame barn with integrated residence
The clients needed a dual-purpose structure—a large-scale agricultural barn plus modern living quarters—on a scenic hillside in Clarke County. We used traditional timber frame construction with heavy exposed beams and a stone foundation to provide structural integrity and aesthetic warmth. The integrated 'tiny house' living space maximizes vertical space with a loft accessible by ladder, while oversized windows and wide double doors blur the line between indoor and outdoor living.
Challenge: Hillside site requiring careful grading; dual-use design needed to meet both agricultural and residential building codes
Large-scale community timber frame pavilion with outdoor amenities
This community amenity project for Willowsford required a timber frame pavilion that would serve as a gathering space for residents. We used heavy timber construction with traditional pegged joinery to create an authentic, handcrafted aesthetic. The design integrates multiple gabled roofs with a massive outdoor stone fireplace, creating distinct zones for dining, lounging, and gathering—all overlooking a scenic pond.
Challenge: Commercial-scale project requiring coordination with HOA, community management, and multiple stakeholder approvals; strict timeline for community event deadlines
Hearthstone Design Build is a licensed Class A design-build firm based in Leesburg, Virginia, specializing in custom timber frame homes, luxury barns, estate pavilions, pools, hardscaping, and commercial construction across Loudoun, Fauquier, Clarke, and Albemarle counties.
Custom Timber Frame Construction in Virginia
Hearthstone Design Build partners with Mid-Atlantic Timberframes to deliver hand-crafted timber frame structures using traditional mortise-and-tenon joinery. Our timber frame homes range from $250 to $450+ per square foot fully finished, with projects spanning $400,000 to $10 million and above.
How much does a timber frame home cost in Virginia?
Timber frame homes in Virginia typically range from $250 to $450+ per square foot fully finished, depending on wood species, frame complexity, and site conditions. Hearthstone delivers projects from $400,000 to $10 million+.
What is the difference between timber frame and stick frame?
Timber frame uses large posts and beams with mortise-and-tenon joinery, creating open spans without load-bearing walls. Stick frame uses dimensional lumber in stud-wall systems. Timber frame costs more but delivers superior longevity, design flexibility, and aesthetics.
How long does timber frame construction take?
A custom timber frame home in Virginia typically takes 14 to 22 months from design through completion. Timber frame fabrication requires 8 to 12 weeks of lead time.
Do I need a permit to build a barn in Loudoun County?
Yes, most structures in Loudoun County require a building permit. Agricultural structures in AR-2 zoning may qualify for certain exemptions, but setback, well, and septic requirements still apply. See our AR-2 Pre-Design Checklist.
