Nichiha AWP Delivers Stunning Looks for Custom-Built Northern Virginia Homes
Francisca Alonso designs homes with the experience of a perpetual vacation. For exteriors, Nichiha helps fulfill her mission.
When Francisca and Antonio Alonso founded AV Architects + Builders in Northern Virginia in 2001, they had a specific vision in mind for their business: designing and building modern, custom homes that reflected their concept of Vacation Style Living™. The challenge was to create homes that feel more like weekend getaways.
“The idea of visualizing something and creating something out of nothing, and then it be for the purpose of people using it and living happier and better lives is definitely the best part of our job,” Francisca reflected.
Landing the Look
To design something distinct from the style of homes that are prevalent in northern Virginia – classic colonial – AV Architects needed the right exterior cladding partner. The charge: Deliver a modern, sophisticated aesthetic, one that would turn heads and appeal to their discerning customer base.
“Our clients are game changers in their community. They have pushed the envelope. That’s why they can afford to build something that’s amazing for themselves,” Francisca noted.
AV Architect’s choice: Architectural Wall Panels (AWP) from Nichiha. Comprised of fiber cement, Nichiha AWP mimic the look of wood, concrete, and brick but are much more durable and resistant to warping, rotting, and pests. They feature a built-in rainscreen and are installed using a hidden track system.
As soon as AV Architects began specifying and installing Nichiha AWP on their client’s homes, they received rave reviews.
“Our ‘A-ha Moment’ was the fact that the product looked rustic, but it could also be used in a modern fashion. It was very versatile in that sense,” Francisca said. “With the same product but different styles, you can pretty much do the whole house and have complementary but different looks on different parts of the house.”
Bringing it Home
The Alonsos did not hesitate to specify Nichiha AWP for their own home, a stunning estate on five acres in Great Falls, Virginia.
“This house is all Nichiha. The only thing that is different is the water table, and there are a couple of walls where we have very long brick that we got from Italy. But besides that, the rest is all Nichiha,” Francisca said. “Probably the best compliment that we get is people saying that it’s modern, but it feels warm.”
The home’s exterior features Nichiha VintageWood in Cedar, which achieves the refined look of wood and adds warmth to cool materials like glass, metal, and block panels. It also features Nichiha ArchitecturalBlock in Gray, with a durable finish that pairs effortlessly with glass and wood.
Photography by: Courtesy of Nichiha
