Custom Homes & Renovations in Fort Washington
Clarity Building Group values the opportunity to build in Fort Washington, where a blend of historic roots and established suburban neighborhoods creates a setting well suited for both refined renovations and thoughtfully designed custom homes. With landmarks like Fort Washington State Park and the tree-lined stretches near Bethlehem Pike and Susquehanna Road, the area offers a mix of classic Colonial homes, mid-century residences, and updated properties that reflect evolving lifestyles.
Many homes sit on generously sized lots with mature landscaping, allowing for additions and new construction that prioritize proportion, natural light, and seamless integration with the surrounding environment. Projects here are typically reviewed through Whitemarsh Township’s building and zoning process, ensuring that each design respects local guidelines while enhancing the character and livability of the community.
Architectural Character and Noteworthy Homes in Fort Washington
The properties referenced are not built, renovated, or restored by Clarity Building Group and are included only as representative examples of the architectural quality and craftsmanship found throughout Fort Washington.
The Highlands: 7001 Sheaff Lane
- Architect/Builder Duo: Timothy Matlack (Architect) / Anthony Morris (Builder/Owner)
- Project Summary: Completed in 1796, this late Georgian-style estate is one of the region's most refined examples of 18th-century country architecture. Its significance lies in its perfectly preserved dressed fieldstone structure and its role as a refuge for the Philadelphia elite during the city's yellow fever epidemics.
The Kahn Korman House: Broad Acre Road
- Architect/Builder Duo: Louis I. Kahn (Architect) / Steven Korman (Client/Developer)
- Project Summary: Completed between 1971 and 1973, this was Louis Kahn's final residential masterpiece and is considered a pinnacle of his vision for the American country home. The house is defined by its rigorous order and the expert use of cypress, brick, and glass to create a "choreography" of structure and natural light.
Hope Lodge: 553 Bethlehem Pike
- Architect/Builder Duo: Samuel Morris (Builder/Owner) / Edmund Woolley (Consulting Architect)
- Project Summary: Built between 1743 and 1748, this Georgian mansion is a premier example of colonial affluence, featuring a symmetrical façade and iconic central pediment. It serves as a historical anchor for the town, having functioned as a military headquarters during the 1777 Battle of Whitemarsh.
Emlen House: 1901 Pennsylvania Avenue
- Architect/Builder Duo: Asher Slaunwhite Architects / Cherokee Construction (Restoration)
- Project Summary: Originally a fieldstone manor built in 1717 for the Emlen family, this estate served as George Washington’s headquarters during the Revolutionary War. Its recent restoration represents the height of modern historical preservation, maintaining the landmark's integrity while modernizing nearly 8,000 square feet of living space.
A LIST OF RESPECTED CUSTOM BUILDERS IN FORT WASHINGTON
Finding Your Fit: Selecting a Builder Based on Your Project Goals and Team Structure.
1. Estate-Scale Custom Home Builders
These firms focus on larger custom homes and new construction projects within Fort Washington’s suburban and estate-style neighborhoods. Work often includes complex layouts and coordinated site development.
Best Suited For:
- New construction on larger suburban lots
- Homes with multi-wing or expansive layouts
- Architect-led residential projects
2. Custom Renovation and Addition Specialists
These builders concentrate on transforming existing homes, often incorporating additions and structural changes to improve function and flow.
Best Suited For:
- Expanding living areas within existing homes
- Updating aging structures
- Projects requiring reconfiguration of major systems
- Additions tied into existing architecture
3. Design-Build Firms
Design-build companies provide a unified team responsible for both design and construction phases.
Best Suited For:
- Clients looking for streamlined coordination
- Projects with tight timelines
- Homeowners preferring a single contract structure
WHAT IT MEANS TO BUILD AND RENOVATE IN FORT WASHINGTON.
In Fort Washington, residential development reflects a mix of mid-century suburban neighborhoods, Colonial Revival houses, and earlier Montgomery County farmsteads, where brick veneer, siding transitions, and varied rooflines require disciplined alignment when renovating or expanding. Projects often involve opening compartmentalized plans, upgrading dated mechanical systems, and integrating additions into existing wood framing while addressing site-specific concerns like slope, drainage, and mature tree coverage. Work is governed by Upper Dublin Township zoning, building permits, and stormwater management standards, with impervious coverage limits and grading controls frequently influencing design decisions and project scope.
WORKING WITH ARCHITECTS IN FORT WASHINGTON
Choosing the Right Design Team for Your Project
Fort Washington is served by a variety of residential architects, from those focused on traditional homes to firms designing modern additions and custom residences. The appropriate partnership depends on your design direction, project complexity, and approach to budgeting. Establishing alignment early helps support a clear and coordinated design process.
Design Firms Active in Fort Washington
Architects in Fort Washington are often retained directly by homeowners prior to builder selection. Clarity Building Group typically joins during design development, working alongside independently selected architects to carry the project into construction. Below are several firms active in and around Fort Washington. Reviewing their work can help determine alignment with your goals.
Please note: Clarity Building Group has not necessarily worked with every architect listed. Each operates independently. We welcome collaboration with architects aligned with Fort Washington’s residential context.
Archer & Buchanan Architecture, Ltd
125 West Miner Street, West Chester, PA 19382 | (610) 692-9112 | archerbuchanan.com
Period Architecture, Ltd
53 Church Road, Malvern, PA 19355 | (610) 719-0101 | periodarchitectureltd.com
VMA (Voith & Mactavish Architects)
2401 Walnut Street, 6th Floor, Philadelphia, PA 19103 | (215) 545-4544 | voithandmactavish.com
John Milner Architects
104 Lakeview Drive, Chadds Ford, PA 19317 | (610) 388-0111 | johnmilnerarchitects.com
MAMO Architects
50 Rittenhouse Place, Ardmore, PA 19003 | (484) 412-8117 | mamoarch.com
Asher Slaunwhite + Partners (AS+P)
115 West Avenue, Suite 305, Jenkintown, PA 19046 | (215) 576-1413 | asparchitects.com
Peter Zimmerman Architects
828 Old Lancaster Road, Berwyn, PA 19312 | (610) 647-6970 | pzarchitects.com
John Toates Architecture and Design
914 North Valley Forge Road, Devon, PA 19333 | (484) 725-7978 | toatesarchitecture.com
Juliet Koczak Architect
Elm Avenue, Swarthmore, PA 19081 | (445) 234-4464 | koczak.com
R.A. Hoffman Architects
55 Plank Avenue, Paoli, PA 19301 | (610) 889-0660 | hoffman-architects.com
Northworks
8020 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19118 | (267) 669-0745 | northworks.com
PMcAD (P. McDonough Architecture & Design)
528 Kennett Pike, Fairville Village, PA 19317 | (484) 888-8084 | patmcdonougharch.com
Warren Claytor Architects
114 North Wayne Avenue, Wayne, PA 19087 | (610) 688-1744 | warrenclaytorarchitects.com
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A NOTE ON FIT