Collegiate Times

The nearly 200-year-old house in Covington, Va., that is owned by the Arritt family was renovated in 2007.

The skeleton, like that of the farmhouse, is entirely wood. Translucent polycarbonate panels wrap the exterior, allowing ample light to enter during the day and radiate at night. Numerous windows frame specific views of the water and mountains beyond.

The 1,500-square-foot tower took a slim four months to complete with the same five-person crew, thanks largely in part to advanced software.

“By making a 3-D model of the building prior to its construction,” Mr. Zawistowski said, “we were able to create a shop drawing for every member of the building and code all those parts.”

They used only a crane and forklift to piece together the puzzle.

“Pretty much like what’s going on across the street right now at a smaller scale,” Mrs. Zawistowski said, referring to the construction on the Prices Fork Lot parking garage.

Saunders said the first floor of the addition is now a family favorite for congregating. The younger generation, she said, loves exploring all three levels. However, the optical illusion of leaning sometimes dizzies older visitors as they climb the stairs.

“We call it the ‘Alice in Wonderland’ addition,” Saunders said.

With the Arritt name properly restored by January 2007, OnSite had to consider its next destination.

“There’s always this kind of strange moment at the end when it’s like ‘It’s time to leave,’” Mr. Zawistowski said. “And in this case, because the property beside it came up for sale, we realized we could stay.”

The College of Architecture and Urban Studies invited Mr. and Mrs. Zawistowski to co-teach a third-year architecture studio in 2008,
which they’ve continued this academic year.

“Third year is really kind of an amazing year in architecture because it’s the year that’s really about architecture.” Mr. Zawistowski said. “It’s sort of learning to put a building together.”

And considering their familiarity with the nuts and bolts, Mr. and Mrs. Zawistowski can impart great know-how to their students. The Virginia Society American Institute of Architects recognized the duo’s value with an Award for Excellence in Design for the Arritt Farm House. OnSite projects demand holistic thought, and its owners hope their students adopt that extra dimension.

“In addition to the poetry of the architecture,” Mr. Zawistowski began while sitting with his wife.

But before he could finish, Mrs. Zawistowski completed the query for him.

“How do you make it happen?” she asked.

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A version of this article appeared in the Feb 3 issue of the Collegiate Times.