Natasha Coyle
MaMo Architects might be based in an Eastern city full of traditional architecture, but they’ve never let the past define their practice. Instead, they focus on “warm modern” designs, as Principal Matthew Moger, RA, puts it. Designs that emphasize natural materials, light, and craftsmanship. “We reinterpret familiar shapes and reference local materials to create modern designs,” said Principal Natasha Coyle.
So, when a young family running a small business out of their home decided to build new on a 10-acre parcel in the countryside, they knew MaMo could deliver on their desire for a home with a clean and bright aesthetic, a flexible space for balancing work and life, and easy maintenance. Here’s a look at the design of the 2,800-square-foot home that became the Charred Barn.
Per the owners' request, the home is ultra efficient with an insulated concrete form (ICF) that creates a thermally broken shell for the home and helps maximize the efficiency of the radiant floor heating. A-Series windows with triple-pane glass were selected because they offered the performance needed and are available in large sizes. “It can be difficult to find large direct-glaze units from a well-known, reputable company,” Coyle said. “Andersen was that company for us.” The home also includes a solar array providing clean energy and passive heating and cooling strategies, like a heat chimney that rises from the centrally located stairs and helps to funnel hot air out and cooler air in through a venting skylight. In trademark MaMo style, the heat chimney nods to the building’s typology without bowing to a traditional design since it functions like a cupola would on a historic barn.
The owners wanted a low-maintenance home. To that end, the building envelope is made to last with high-performance windows, virtually weatherproof shou sugi ban and metal siding over a concrete shell, and a standing seam metal roof. The industrial materials nod to the utility of the building type while the consistent use of black creates a striking modern aesthetic.
Matthew Moger
Casting the building out of concrete also allowed for a sculptural approach with cantilevers and large openings for floor-to-ceiling windows. A-Series Casement, Awning, and Picture Windows were specified to give the home a more contemporary feel, and mulled units were utilized wherever possible to minimize sight lines. “The large expanses of glass allowed us to bring in the maximum amount of natural light and take advantage of amazing views,” Moger said.
An open floorplan makes the most of all that light without interfering with the functionality the owners needed to both work and live in the home. Nodes off the main floorplan provide spaces for retreating to work or rest. And just like on the exterior, the interior features a striking mix of industrial materials and wood tones. Reclaimed timbers again nod to the historic barn while celebrating the craftsmanship that’s central to MaMo’s practice. The result is a home that fits its surroundings and meets its owners' needs without conforming to the past. It strikes the perfect balance of being “referential and out-of-the-box" as Moger put it.
Founded on a vision born on international grounds, MaMo Architects emerged as a unique player in the architectural landscape of Pennsylvania in 2009. The seeds for MaMo were sown when Matthew Moger and Natasha Coyle, the firm’s founders, collaborated with an international design team between 2007 and 2009. This partnership opened their eyes to a level of design sophistication that was conspicuously absent in Philadelphia. Inspired, they established MaMo to bring this visionary design ethos to their hometown, setting up their primary office in Ardmore, Pennsylvania.
At MaMo, we believe architecture is more than just building structures; it’s about reframing history with forward-thinking designs that narrate the stories of our clients and the land. Our philosophy is rooted in creating connections between people and their environment through innovative design solutions that respect but do not replicate the past.
