The Brookwood Designs

The Kirchman Studio's Own Neighborhood


Double Rainbow over the studio window.








In the studio, Mr. Kirchman sought to create an environment that was conducive to inspiration.

The Kirchman Studio Brookwood Designs are of note because they are projects in the vicinity of and including the studio space. In addition to renovations to the existing house for aging in place, Mr. Kirchman designed the studio, a residence next door and a shop/work-van garage in the form of a barn. The designs are of note because they attempt to honor the region's agricultural heritage and a very nice stone church by the firm of T. J. Collins, visible from the neighborhood. The residence draws from the simplicity of German stone architecture. The stonework itself is by mason: Lewis Wright.

The Patterson Residence







The Barn (Shop and Garage)







The Studio



















House in a House


Here the garage is converted into a small house within a house with its own discreet separate entrance. It also has its own kitchenette. The perfect solution for multi-generational living.

Barbour Colonnade







This was a planbook house built on the highest point in Brookwood. The builder turned the house so that the 'back' faced the road and the deck was sitting on skinny 4" x 4" posts. This is my design to add presence to the elevation facing the neighborhood.

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Residences in Albemarle County
Greenwood Residence


This was also developed as a house within a house concept to house the client's elderly mother.

Crozet Addition


Substantial space and a garage are added to a small house. The massing is hidden in the trees and invisible from the front of the original house.
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Staunton, Virginia Commercial Work
Enterprise Centre




Here an old strip shopping center was given a new parapet and a new trussed roof. The original flat roof was not salvageable so it was trussed over.

Law Offices from Gas Station


An old 'box' style gas station at the corner of Greenville Avenue and Richmond Road received a new facade and an office wing added to the rear.

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Creating Connection with History
A Sense of Place


Stonework on the facade creates a sense of connection...


...with the historic architecture of Good Shepherd Episcopal Church by the firm of T. J. Collins.

Copyright © 2017, The Kirchman Studio, all rights reserved.

THYME Magazine: The Bridge Builder's Tale

Citizen Journalism with a Better Flavor


Volume XI, Issue XIX

The History of Serial Fiction

Serials have existed in fiction for a very long time. Books were expensive back in the 19th century, so they were printed in installments in order to keep the price low. Charles Dickens, often heralded as one of the greatest early self-publishers, was also one of the most successful writers of serialized fiction. Another big name, Alexandre Dumas, was a very prolific serial novelist, publishing both The Count of Monte Cristo and The Three Musketeers in serial format. In fact, serialization worked so well, it was considered the way to go by popular authors during the time." -- Samantha Warren

THYME Magazine presents, in serial form, the story of a man who challenged the proposition that something he wanted to achieve was "impossible." Based on history, depicted in the future, Pontifus is a tale of human triumph in the face of challenges such as face us today.

Pontifus, the Bridge Builder's Tale
By Bob Kirchman
Copyright © 2015, The Kirchman Studio, all rights reserved

Read More [click to read]

Modeling Massanutten's Mountain

Resort Master Plan as a 1" = 500' Scale Model (5' x 5')


Looking into the 'Kettle.'


The resort's Woodstone Meadows section.


The hotels and the ski area.


Placing thousands of tiny units on the topography.

Curriculum Materials for Nepali English Program

HOPE Publications Wonders of the Natural World Book

Friends in Nepal developing an English curriculum series turned to us for some design and illustration.Here is one of my favorites, developed by our "critter consultant."


Rice Paper Butterfly, or Paper Kite Butterfly, Idea leuconoe.
Illustration © 2013, by Kristina Elaine Riley for HOPE Publications, Pvt. ltd.

Stroke of Genius

Miss Riley Creates an Auk


Illustration of an Auk, Coloured Pencil, by Laney Riley.

Recently we worked on a very interesting project, some educational illustrations for Civitas in Great Britian. They are using some images I developed for Core Knowkledge Foundation but needed some more that were specific to the continent of Europe.

My partner in the mural helped to produce the animal and floral icons for the illustrated maps. Her work speaks for itself.


Connemara Pony, Coloured Pencil, Illustration by Laney Riley.


Consultant position specially created for the occasion.


Preparing map images.

Modelling a Church Interior

Model for a Pipe Organ Installation


Model of an organ enclosure designed by Xaver Wilhelmy.

The Return of the Small House

Less is More in Today's Housing Market


A Sears Roebuck 'Argyle' home in Fairmont, West Virginia.

The Associated Press [click to read] is reporting on one sector of the housing market that is booming... the market for small houses in the $20,000 to $50,000 range is strong and should remain so in today's depressed economy.

As historical examples, such as the Sears house above prove, small need not mean without dignity. In fact, one who loves historic homes will relish the thought of a whole new generation of craftsman style bungalows.

If you are a contractor looking to tap into this wonderful market, the Kirchman Studio can help you style beautiful small homes for your clients.