Always by Design ARCHITECTURE

I was introduced to Ed (Always By Design) through a client a few years ago. Since the original project I have had the privilege to work with Ed on some other projects around Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs. I have worked with a lot of Architects throughout my career and Ed is by far one of the most detail oriented. He figures out ever detail, no matter how painstaking. He has impressed me with his understanding of mill work construction and pushes us on each project. Working with an architect like Ed, keeps you on your toes and ahead of the curve on innovative design details and coordination.

We hired Ed to design a house for us. The process has been extremely enjoyable. Ed is technically proficient, a great communicator, artistic, well-organized, and reliable. He helped us choose a builder (we talked to 3) and to work out a contract with same. He has my highest recommendation.

We were new to Center City Philadelphia, a big renovation was our first priority when we bought a pre-1900 row home. Always by Design was recommended to us and I can't say enough about what a great decision we made to work with Ed! From the beginning Ed sat with us to determine our style and needs. He took our requests and upped the game with fun details and so much function. We had the option to have Ed follow us through the entire process from design, to choosing the contractor and also representing us through the build. This has been the saving grace with our busy schedules! He is very easy to work with and has a discerning eye which we very much appreciate. Through our build he was there for us and questions from our contractor were answered quickly and thoughtfully. We are very happy with the outcome of our project. So much so we are on to phase 2!

When browsing websites seeking a skilled architect with shared aesthetics to transform our purchased “diamond in the rough”, into our dream home, Always by Design’s site caught our eye. We contacted Ed and upon interviewing him, we knew he was right person to serve as co-collaborator with two artists/clients venturing into a new (for us overwhelming) creative project. The home, located near Wissahickon Park in Chestnut Hill, PA begged for marrying the outside with the inside. Ed enthusiastically dove into the project, often going to the site early in the morning (5:00am) to commune with its bucolic setting and gain a thoughtful consideration of its natural light. Then, when the design process started, the collaborative spirit began, Ed listening and responding to our questions and needs, as we learned the complexities of architectural design. What impressed us about Ed was his ability to work with us as well as for us. There were highs and lows while we made our way through unflagging revisions, doing our best to stay within a limited budget. The biggest low was discovering we couldn’t have everything, but the biggest high was having an architect who knew how to create that “close to everything look”. Ed served not only our architect, but as our support person and trusted advocate. It is rare to hear anyone say renovations are easy. Ours certainly wasn’t. When our contractor walked from the job, Ed was right there, assisting to find another to step in and complete the work. Today and each day whether we’re having our morning coffee, hosting friends or just plain living in our home, we pinch ourselves and say, “Can you believe we live here?” Then we give thanks to Ed for his amazing architectural vision, transforming an ignored, dilapidated house into one breathtaking, extraordinary home.

I have had the absolute pleasure to collaborate with Mr. Barnhart and Always by Design (AxD) on a number of occasions and in different capacities. I have been honored to work alongside him as a structural engineer and I have also been a client of his, retaining his services and utilizing his astute sense of design and graceful documentation. AxD's portfolio speaks for itself. However, it is Ed's passion, clarity in communication, professionalism, attention to detail, his care for the varying needs of his clients and above all, his respect for the design "process" that makes him and AxD exceptional.

I have worked with Always by Design many times over the past years. Ed's creativity, enthusiasm and attention to the fine details separate him from other architects. As a photographer, I'm fortunate to photograph many homes. I see a wide range of talent. To me, photography can only go so far when it comes to the feel and comfort within a space. My job is to interpret the project and not bend reality. There is a certain sensitivity I have found in Ed's designs that is not just a matter of one or two design elements, it comes down to many details that add up to an overall experience as you walk around and observe from different perspectives. Whenever I photograph Ed's projects I find myself taking a lot of photos because more and more elements reveal themselves as I spend more time in each space. This is what a great architect offers and Ed is one of the best you'll ever find. I highly recommend his work.

Ed went above and beyond to make our dream home a reality. His ingenuity and vision has made all the difference from the big ideas to the small details. Everywhere we look in our house we see his mark, and it is a space that we find beautiful and functional. Ed is a team player, a professional and a voice of reason. He guided us through this year and a half-long project. We could not have done it without him!

Working with Ed was a great experience from beginning to end. He helped us to completely renovate a tragically dilapidated house in Haddonfield NJ, inside and out. I had emailed a few other design firms initially, just to see what was out there, and was extremely dismayed with the responses- It took several days to hear back, it was usually from a clueless intern, and the enthusiasm was lukewarm. Ed was the only architect who consistently got back to us quickly and positively, and he seemed much more hands on. Then, throughout the project, he always responded to emails promptly and clearly, and was always easy and agreeable to arrange meetings with. Ed created a few design options and made several suggestions which we would not have thought of, and will certainly have a great impact on the final product (move the front door! relocate the stairway!). He designs with functionality and flow in mind, and he really balances this with design and aesthetics. Finally, he was very helpful in the process of selecting a contractor and revising the plans as needed. He is also just a really nice guy, and seemed to consistently have our best interests in mind.

My wife and I hired Ed to redesign a home built in the 1950s. Ed was able to redesign our two bedroom, one bathroom home into a contemporary, two bedroom, two full bath home. The process in working with Ed was easy and efficient. Ed was always quick to respond to our questions and made himself readily available to meet with us to go over anything we needed. Ed's expertise in structure, function and design was evident throughout the entire process of working with him. His eye for design and detail left both my wife and I incredibly delighted and extremely eager to start construction!

Ed was a pleasure to work with! He has a great aptitude for clean, modern design, and can persevere through a difficult permitting process.

Always By Design did a great job renovating my home. Very sensitive and in tune with my vision and needs.

We hired Ed at Always by Design to create a personal residence for us that was completely custom, and inspired primarily by a large level lot that overlooks several hundred acres of preserved farm land and open space in Chester County, PA. He was recommended to me by a realtor colleague for his work primarily in Center City Philadelphia and I was interested to see if he could adapt his style from "urban" to "suburban" while maintaining a sense of uniqueness that would make our home as special as the lot on which it sits. After some initial research and gaining a sense of comfort from seeing the projects on his website, we agreed to do a site visit and eventually to commence design. I am a home builder so I brought some experience to the table in the project, but it is always different when you are working on your own home. Ed was patient and open to our very specific requirements and feedback throughout the design process. After a few rounds we had a plan that we were both comfortable with, but still allowed us to make some interior design modifications as we went along. Ed was always available for questions and consultation and I would recommend him without hesitation. In fact, I think we barely scratched the surface of Ed's skills and available services our our personal residence so I would certainly consider him again for our next project.