Reader & Swartz Architects

10/10/2025

Presenting our new project: a writer's sanctuary nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains! This intimate modern cabin merges dramatic mountain vistas with forest solitude—featuring a butterfly roofline that frames epic views, a quiet writing alcove looking into the woods, and natural materials that blur the line between architecture and landscape.

Check out the project on our website for more details and photos!

📸: Caleb Snyder, AIA ( )

09/27/2024

Our projects at the MSV won a Citation award from AIA Virginia! Check out the projects under the "community" tab on our website (link in bio). Or if you're in the area, take a walk along the the MSV trails to see the projects for yourself!

08/28/2024

Winner Winner! The Shepherdstown Grandparents' House won an Award of Excellence in Residential Architecture from AIA Northern Virginia! Check out the "residential" section on our website to learn more about the renovations and additions to this small guest house (originally designed by Fernau + Hartman Architects).

https://aianova.org/awards/shepherdstown-grandparents-house/

11/21/2023

Located in Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, The Birch Bower is a new, accessible house designed to be used in three different scenarios: as a one-bedroom private getaway for the owner, as a hub to host family and friends, and as a rental property for vacationers. Check out out our website ( https://readerswartz.com/pf/the-birch-bower/ ) for more information, or visit Red Barn Vacations https://redbarnvacations.com/the-birch-bower/ # to rent the property! Also be sure to check out on Instagram!

01/19/2022

Roaring creek is well underway in the West Virginia mountains! It’s been closed in and covered with bark and live edge siding.

11/23/2021

We are excited that the Blue Ridge Habitat for Humanity is about to build five new houses as Phase 2 of the Norris Village project! We designed the nine Phase 1 houses in the early 1990's, and we are very excited about helping to bring the dream of home ownership to local families again!

11/23/2021

Crooked Bow Tie wins it again! This West Virginia weekend house was awarded honorable mention for excellence in residential design by AIA Virginia. Check it out on our website to learn more!

The Crooked Bow Tie House

08/20/2021

Big news for Reader & Swartz! Last night, we received the Award of Merit in Residential Design from AIA Northern Virginia for the American British Country House! Visit our website to see more of this award-winning project (link in bio)

04/23/2021

The cows were unMOOved by our attempts at traditional regional modern farmhouse.

08/25/2020

Three different awards in three different categories?! Damn...
Go check out our 2020 AIANOVA award-winning projects on our website!

Also find the awards announcement here: https://aianova.org/DA20/index.php

and a short video of the judges' comments about the projects:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL8_ipUCzA6GDIqya-hQWtPMZxlvNndl00

08/05/2020

Reader & Swartz is powering through the pandemic with the safety of Devo energy face shields (Charley doesn’t know what a pandemic is, but she has one anyways)

07/14/2020

In cased you missed it: the American British Country House has been completed! Go see more photos on our website under the “residential” section (link in bio)