Designed to Build

Constantly curious and driven by the desire to always make things better through modern technologies; we do not settle for standard solutions or skip where the fence is lowest.
About Us.

Designed to Build

Constantly curious and driven by the desire to always make things better through modern technologies; we do not settle for standard solutions or skip where the fence is lowest.
About Us.

Houses

Dream home planning and design.

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Buildings

Design and build options for commercial building.

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Additions

Renovations, home add-ons, decks, and garages.

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Turning Ideas into Details

The vision you have deserves growing room. While you're picking paint colors and furniture, we'll be working on the fine points that are deserving of your future.

The Echo Method

We aren't competing for the best, most prestigious or sought after... we just want to build better; we want to build right.

Raising the Design & Build Bar

Looking for a designer who aligns with your values, is easy to work with, and keeps you informed can be stressful. The firm you hire should check off all the boxes.

Responsive

Consistent communication with your design team at all times.

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Honest

Unwilling to compromise quality or cut corners for their own benefit.

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Creative

Thinks outside the standard box to create the best possible outcome.

Learn More

Raising the Design & Build Bar

Looking for a designer who aligns with your values, is easy to work with, and keeps you informed can be stressful. The firm you hire should check off all the boxes.

Responsive

Consistent communication with your design team at all times.

Learn More

Honest

Unwilling to compromise quality or cut corners for their own benefit.

Learn More

Creative

Thinks outside the standard box to create the best possible outcome.

Learn More

Building Better

Designing isn't hard. But when ideas and creativity get lost in the fine-tuning of the finished product, corners get cut... communication gets lost... and "this is as good as it gets" becomes the compromise.

Here at ACVN, we're making "no compromise" the new norm of architectural firms.

Your dreams don't have to get lost in the details. You can live the life you want without compromising on the sustainability, comfort, or functionality of your project.

Design Practices for Clean Living

Building Better

Designing isn't hard. But when ideas and creativity get lost in the fine-tuning of the finished product, corners get cut... communication gets lost... and "this is as good as it gets" becomes the compromise.

Here at ACVN, we're making "no compromise" the new norm of architectural firms.

Your dreams don't have to get lost in the details. You can live the life you want without compromising on the sustainability, comfort, or functionality of your project.

Dugan, Andreina & Abigail

Design Practices for Clean Living

Green
Energy

Maximizing efficiency through insulation, air sealing, windows and HVAC systems, and renewable generation techniques.

Sustainable
Materials

Matching the least environmental impact and the greatest longevity to reduce fuel consumption, energy costs, and pollution.

High Performance

Building envelopes can provide a tighter seal that keeps conditioned air in while filtering out pollutants like dust, pollen and mold spores.

With so many advances in green building technology, it's time to consider sustainability when it comes to homebuilding. As consumers, we must become more aware of the health impacts and environmental damage caused by traditional construction practices. About the Echo Method.

Revolutionizing the future of homebuilding

37

%

Increase in new home construction compared to the last decade.

1.1

Million

In new single-family homes in the United States.

What our clients are saying

Experiences with Dugan Caswell and Andreina Verdesoto

"We had interviewed a second architect and had a nice discussion, but she never got back to me... never called me back. What I really wanted was a draftsman, to put our house on blueprints, I really didn't know how much I needed an architect, he changed everything all for good. Dugan took our floor plan and made it incredible. The new house is BETTER than our millionaire dream house thanks to Dugan."

John C.Homeowner

"In hiring an architect I look for someone who is easy to work with, responsive, keeps me up to date, and doesn't price gauge... ACVN met all of that criteria. Working with Dugan is smooth and comfortable, and the price is comparable to other architects that I interviewed."

AngeloBusiness Owner

"Looks like we got the first step correct. Met with Dugan and couldn't be more pleased with his ability to listen to our desires and add his thoughts. I really feel like we are heading into the winner's circle. We're still in the beginning stages.
We are planning an addition to welcome the newest member to our family, we need more bedrooms. I will update you along our journey of making sound decisions."

Shannon O.Homeowner

Project Gallery

Our Work

Here at ACVN we aren't competing for the best, most prestigious or sought after... we just want to build better. We want to build right.

Get Started

Portfolio

Design Ideas

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October 6, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

We set up frequent meetings either in-person over the phone or through video calls to discuss the project's progress and engage you in the collaborative design process.

One of the enjoyable aspects of collaborating with us is that we operate directly in 3D software. This enables us to begin examining how your space will appear in the physical world fairly early in the design process. We can guide you through 3D models, allowing you to explore what different finishes, textures, and colors will look and feel like in your space.

In short, yes, this is possible. In order to work with a specific budget we will need to bring on the contractor early on in the design process; it’s easier to design to a budget than to budget to a design. As you may be aware the construction market is somewhat volatile and it’s much easier for us to stay on track with a budget when we’re working with the contractor who is going to build the job.

Addressing permit and zoning requirements are the foundation of our services.

Each municipality in Virginia has slightly different requirements for permit and zoning documentation in general for permitting, municipalities will require floor plans, structural framing plans, sections, elevations, details, and a site plan.

In Spotsylvania, Fredericksburg city, and Stafford County (among others), all additions, detached structures and new houses require a shrink-swell soils test.

New houses will require a topographic survey & grading plan, and we work with a few providers of soils test and surveys.

Getting your home designed and built is a process: It takes time. Decisions are not made all at once but throughout the course of a project. The overall design process will depend on the size of the building, the complexity of the project, the location, and the client’s decision-making process, as well as a whole host of external factors.

We like to give our clients the expectation that it will take around four to six months to design a complex renovation, six to twelve months for a new custom home with that said the permit review can take four to six months in Spotsylvania County.

Schedule a Free Consult to get Started

Your house can give you the life you dream about for you and your entire family, so you can enjoy all of life's moments.

With an Echo framework design from ACVN, you can focus on what's most important to you... whether it's an addition, a house off the grid, the perfect piece of land or the home you're dreaming of for your grandkids... you can love where you live.

Designed to Build

Constantly curious and driven by the desire to always make things better through modern technologies; we do not settle for standard solutions or skip where the fence is lowest.
About Us.

Designed to Build

Constantly curious and driven by the desire to always make things better through modern technologies; we do not settle for standard solutions or skip where the fence is lowest.
About Us.

Houses

Buildings

Additions

Turning Ideas into Details

Raising the Design & Build Bar

Responsive

Honest

Creative

Raising the Design & Build Bar

Responsive

Honest

Creative

Building Better

Design Practices for Clean Living

Building Better

Dugan, Andreina & Abigail

Design Practices for Clean Living

Green
Energy

Sustainable
Materials

High Performance

With so many advances in green building technology, it's time to consider sustainability when it comes to homebuilding. As consumers, we must become more aware of the health impacts and environmental damage caused by traditional construction practices. About the Echo Method.

Revolutionizing the future of homebuilding

What our clients are saying

Our Work

Design Ideas

Read this before buying house plans online

Best Practices for Passive Solar Design in Northern Virginia

9 Reasons To Hire An Architect

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule a Free Consult to get Started

Navigation

Portfolio

Social

Designed to Build

Constantly curious and driven by the desire to always make things better through modern technologies; we do not settle for standard solutions or skip where the fence is lowest. About Us.

Designed to Build

Constantly curious and driven by the desire to always make things better through modern technologies; we do not settle for standard solutions or skip where the fence is lowest. About Us.

Houses

Buildings

Additions

Turning Ideas into Details

Raising the Design & Build Bar

Responsive

Honest

Creative

Raising the Design & Build Bar

Responsive

Honest

Creative

Building Better

Design Practices for Clean Living

Building Better

Dugan, Andreina & Abigail

Design Practices for Clean Living

Green Energy

Sustainable Materials

High Performance

With so many advances in green building technology, it's time to consider sustainability when it comes to homebuilding. As consumers, we must become more aware of the health impacts and environmental damage caused by traditional construction practices. About the Echo Method.

Revolutionizing the future of homebuilding

What our clients are saying

Our Work

Design Ideas

Read this before buying house plans online

Best Practices for Passive Solar Design in Northern Virginia

9 Reasons To Hire An Architect

Frequently Asked Questions

Schedule a Free Consult to get Started

Navigation

Portfolio

Social

Constantly curious and driven by the desire to always make things better through modern technologies; we do not settle for standard solutions or skip where the fence is lowest.
About Us.

Constantly curious and driven by the desire to always make things better through modern technologies; we do not settle for standard solutions or skip where the fence is lowest.
About Us.

Green
Energy

Sustainable
Materials