When Julieann Shanahan decided to turn a peaceful plot in the corner of her Villanova property into a family retreat, she envisioned building a treehouse-like pavilion similar to one she previously saw at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee, writes Teri Akman for The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

To bring the idea to life, she turned to Peter Zimmerman Architects in Berwyn in September 2021. Together, they spent almost a year and a half crafting a one-and-a-half-story stone structure where Shanahan could entertain guests and have a place where her family could enjoy the natural surroundings. 

The final product features a vaulted ceiling with tongue-and-groove decking and custom exposed heavy timber roof trusses. 

The focal point of the hip-roof timber frame structure is the stone floor-to-ceiling fireplace on a Pennsylvania bluestone floor. The dining table in front of the fireplace can easily accommodate a family of five and up to 16 guests. 

There is also a small loft on the second floor, which can be accessed through a ship’s ladder. 

“We like to go up in the loft to get a break from daily life, to look out at the stream and woodlands,” said Shanahan. 

Read more about Peter Zimmerman Architects designing the pavilion in The Philadelphia Inquirer. 

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