Arab Press

بالشعب و للشعب
Saturday, Feb 22, 2025

A Concrete-and-Glass Gem in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley

A Concrete-and-Glass Gem in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley

Designed by Eugene Stoltzfus Architects, this contemporary home harvests sunlight for heating and electricity.

A striking concrete-and-glass home is now up for sale in Harrisonburg, Virginia, about 130 miles southwest of Washington, DC. Built in 2016, the single-story residence was imagined by local architect Eugene Stoltzfus for the current owners, who desired a passive and active solar design with a modern, refined aesthetic. The resulting structure features a glazed facade along the south side, along with an exposed concrete wall that bisects the interior to absorb excess heat.



Recently listed in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley, this eco-friendly home incorporates both active and passive solar design. A full-length wall of glass allows sunlight to warm the interior, while a south-sloping roof holds an array of solar panels.

"The details of the house are consistent with the philosophy of the owners, and the simplicity of the way they wanted to live," explains Stoltzfus. The material palette-which includes concrete, wood, steel, and aluminum-was selected to economically achieve the design brief.



Floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the .34-acre lot. French doors opposite the dining area provide access to a patio that runs beside the structure.

"When you step into the entryway, the columns help to define the edge of the house," Stoltzfus says. "The living room is an open plan with the kitchen at the far end, which appears very simple-but was actually closely designed to make for an efficient use of a very tight space." The layout neatly separates public and private spaces at opposite sides of the home, with two bedrooms and two bathrooms positioned behind the central concrete wall.



Honed black granite tops the kitchen island and a cooking area along the rear wall. Two flanking sets of cabinetry help to further define the space.



"In the area between the wall cabinet and the island, the floor is made of cork, which provides a resilient surface for anyone spending a lot of time in the kitchen," Stoltzfus says.

The nearly 1,600-square-foot home features concrete floors throughout-a cohesive and practical solution. An indoor spigot in the master bathroom allows for easy cleaning.

"It’s a little different than you would find in most houses," Stoltzfus explains. "Since the concrete goes wall to wall without interruption, the [vanity] sits a foot off the floor, and toilet is wall hung. The whole floor is also sloped toward the shower."



A look at the principal bedroom.



A floating vanity topped with cultured marble stretches across the principal bathroom. The space also features a wall-to-wall concrete floor, a wall-hung toilet, and an open shower.

"Overall, the materials in the home were intended to work together-both economically and aesthetically-to create an inviting place someone would want to be," Stoltzfus adds. Adding to the home’s appeal is the scenic landscape surrounding the property-with the Blue Ridge Mountains to the east and the Appalachian Mountains to the west. Keep scrolling to see more of the home, currently listed for $425,000.



A look at the second bedroom, located opposite the principal suite.



The roof extends at two sides of the structure to form a carport at one end and a covered patio at the other.



The site features flowers and grasses that are native to the Shenandoah Valley. "The house, with its natural materials and simple, functional shape, lends itself to this kind of landscaping," Stoltzfus adds.

Newsletter

Related Articles

Arab Press
0:00
0:00
Close
The negotiation teams of Trump and Putin meet directly, establishing the groundwork for a significant advance.
Israeli Minister Urges Hamas to Surrender and Depart from Gaza.
Iran Considers Moving Its Capital Due to Urban Difficulties
Israel and Hamas Finalize Sixth Exchange of Hostages and Prisoners During Continuing Gaza Ceasefire
Leaders of BRICS to Gather in Rio de Janeiro for July Summit
Muhsin Hendricks, a trailblazing openly gay imam, was killed in South Africa.
Trump's special envoy for hostage affairs cautions Hamas against challenging Trump before Saturday's deadline.
Two British citizens apprehended in Iran amid escalating tensions.
Israel Issues Threat of Military Action as Hostage Negotiations with Hamas Continue
Hamas Coordinates Worldwide Solidarity Marches in Reaction to U.S. and Israeli Initiative
Israel Warns of Ending Gaza Ceasefire Due to Hostage Situation
King Abdullah II Dismisses US Proposal to Relocate Palestinians, Commits to Welcoming Gaza Children.
Lebanon Installs New Government with Hezbollah's Impact on Key Ministries
Report: Iran Attempted to Assassinate Trump During Election Campaign
U.S. Authorizes $7.4 Billion Arms Sale to Israel
Iran's Supreme Leader Rejects Nuclear Negotiations with the U.S.
UN Chief Denounces Trump's Gaza Plan, Cautions Against Ethnic Cleansing
Pressure Intensifies for a Free Trade Agreement between the UK and GCC in Light of Economic Difficulties
Israel to Withdraw from UN Human Rights Council Due to Accusations of Anti-Semitism
EU Reaffirms Gaza's Essential Role in Future Palestinian State Following Trump's Proposal
Iranian Currency Reaches All-Time Low Amid US 'Maximum Pressure' Initiative.
UN Reaffirms Ban on Deportation from Occupied Territories Amid US Gaza Proposal
Palestinians Fear Repeat of 'Nakba' Amid Ongoing Crisis in Gaza
UAE Aids in the Exchange of 300 Prisoners Between Russia and Ukraine
Egypt Seeks Global Backing for Two-State Solution Following US Proposal for Gaza Plan
Trump's Suggestion to 'Seize Control' of Gaza Represents a Significant Shift in US Policy
French President is the first EU leader to extend congratulations to the new Syrian President.
Tunisian President Appoints New Finance Minister Amid Economic Crisis
Trump Suggests U.S. 'Takeover' of Gaza, Prompting Global Worries
Trump's Proposal for Gaza Provokes Global Debate
President Trump Suggests Moving Gaza's Palestinian Population
Aga Khan IV, Spiritual Leader and Philanthropist, Dies at 88
Erdogan and Syria's Sharaa Talk About Collaboration to Counter Kurdish Militants
Trump Suggests U.S. Control of Gaza Strip Amid Ongoing Conflict
Trump Resumes 'Maximum Pressure' Strategy to Limit Iran's Oil Exports.
Ex-British Soldier Sentenced for Espionage on Behalf of Iran and Fleeing from Prison
Gazans in Egypt Reject Displacement, Struggle with Return to War-Torn Home
Queen Rania Urges Protection of Children’s Rights at Vatican Summit
Hamas Officials Ready to Begin Negotiations for Phase Two of Gaza Truce
Trump Expresses Caution Over Gaza Ceasefire as Netanyahu Visits Washington
Oman to Host 18th Indian Ocean Conference on Maritime Security and Trade
Emir of Kuwait Meets BlackRock CEO for Talks on Investment Opportunities
Queen Rania of Jordan Calls for Global Action on Children’s Rights at Vatican Summit
Egyptian President El-Sisi Invited for White House Meeting Following Jordanian King’s Visit
Queen Rania Calls for Protection of Children’s Rights at Vatican Summit
Israeli Military Operations Continue on Lebanon Border Amid Ceasefire Tensions
Israeli Hostage's Release Highlights Uncertainty Over Family's Fate
Israeli Military Operations Escalate in Southern Lebanon Amid Hezbollah Tensions
Zayed Award for Human Fraternity Announces 2025 Honorees
Kuwait Anticipates a 12% Increase in Budget Deficit for the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year
×