WADE WEISSMANN ARCHITECTURE
CRAFTING TIMELESS ARCHITECTURE FOR THE EQUESTRIAN LIFESTYLE
Interview by Lindsay Hunter
Photographs by Rocco Ceselin, Dustin Halleck, David Bader, Holly LePere, and Mark GR Feldhaus
Wade Weissmann is more than an architect—he is a storyteller, crafting spaces that honor tradition while embracing innovation. With a meticulous eye for detail and a deep appreciation for classical design, he approaches every project with thoughtfulness and curiosity, ensuring that no element is overlooked. His process is as thorough as it is inspiring, drawing from historical influences while tailoring each design to the unique needs and lifestyles of his clients.
For equestrians, a home or estate is more than just a place to live—it’s an extension of their passion, a seamless blend of function, beauty, and tradition. Weissmann understands this intimately. His designs capture the essence of the equestrian way of life, from grand estates with European influences to charming stables that feel both timeless and welcoming. He listens intently, asking the right questions to uncover what his clients truly need and desire, translating their visions into spaces that are both breathtaking and deeply personal.
His ability to marry innovation with classical architecture is what sets him apart. Whether designing a refined countryside retreat or a sprawling equestrian estate, he finds ways to incorporate modern conveniences without compromising the integrity of timeless design. The result? Residences and equestrian facilities that not only stand the test of time but also feel as though they’ve always belonged to the landscape.
It’s no wonder Weissmann’s clients trust him implicitly. His passion for excellence, combined with his warm and collaborative approach, makes the design process as rewarding as the final result. For those seeking to create a home or equestrian estate that is both elegant and enduring, there is no better guide than Wade Weissmann.
About Wade and His Process
Can you share a bit about your background and how you got into designing equestrian facilities?
When I was a child, my parents bought an old, abandoned farm on the Door Peninsula of Wisconsin. On the weekends as I was growing up, our family would drive from Milwaukee and stay and work on this property, which I absolutely loved. The facilities were crude, very much turn of the century with potbellied stoves; no central heating, no plumbing. There were also numerous dilapidated farm buildings on the property where I played; they were perfect for a kid to explore. My family used or repurposed all the structures in some fashion, nothing went to waste. I credit the farm for sparking my fascination with generational compounds and the beauty of utilitarian architecture, including those dedicated to equestrian purposes. Years later, when opportunities came up to build and restore equestrian facilities as part of our residential projects, I was always very interested. Word definitely got around and we continued to receive commissions for properties with an equestrian focus. We delight in creating spaces specifically for horses and the people who love them.
What is your approach to understanding the specific needs of both the client and the horses when you start a project?
It completely depends on the client’s dream and specific equestrian interest. The design of any equestrian facility begins with the lifestyle of the owner. We ask a lot of questions. Is their focus on sporting events? Or is the desire to create an idealistic landscape with horses in the background? If the vision is specific to hunting and jumping, dressage, or steeplechase, among others, the owners not only have specific types of horses, they also have dedicated, specialized staff. The people involved, the kind of horse, and how many are to be housed and cared for are the questions at the heart of our interview process. We need to understand the size of the facility intended. Is it just for personal use or is it for boarding? Do they travel to competitions on weekends? Do they go to a number of shows during the year? Do they have family members who are involved? We must thoroughly understand all the objectives before launching into a masterplan or design.
How do you balance functionality with aesthetics in equestrian architecture?
We typically start with aesthetics; the vision and style for a given place guides the decisions to follow regarding functionality. Any requirement can be accommodated with the specific outfitting of that building and those facilities. What is the feed situation? What is the storage situation? How many animals are they accommodating? Are retired animals involved? What is the purpose of the facility? Barns need to accommodate human use as well as the animals. Are owner suites and gathering places required? Do the owners socialize with their equestrian staff? We've worked on facilities where breeding was involved, which adds a commercial aspect. Needless to say, any facility has a number of stakeholders involved and we need to talk with them all. A good equestrian building is only as good as the sum of its required parts. Each is unique.
Collaboration and Challenges
How do you involve clients in the design process, and how do you ensure their vision aligns with practical and sustainable solutions?
We utilize an extensive questionnaire to begin the process, which gives the owner a wonderful way to articulate their ideas and overall program to us. We also interview all the people who are involved in the day-to-day management of the farm who may have very specific needs to function effectively. We talk to the barn manager, farm manager, and groundskeeper, the groomsmen and the support staff, the travel staff, the horse trainer, and of course, the client. All the various interests are then prioritized and brought into the program. Some take priority over others. But once that program is established, and the barn's primary functions are worked out, we start looking at the infrastructure.
Vision and Innovation
What are the key features you prioritize when designing for equestrian use, and have they evolved over time?
The overall barn layout and how it is programmed is critical. We consider the equine spaces, human spaces, maintenance spaces, and storage spaces. Once we look at all those major components in a big picture way, we can move on to details like ventilation, natural light, a healthy environment, and choice of materials to support it all. It is an evolution as we go; we take all those elements and explore aesthetic possibilities. We make or recommend choices that reinforce the composition of the property, which leads to the aesthetic and functional success of the facility.
How do you see the future of equestrian architecture evolving?
There are technological advances every day specific to the different equestrian sports and regarding facility maintenance. We are mindful that our designs and planning for facilities need to be adaptable to advancements, and also future expansion or renovation. Wastewater management comes to mind as an evolving element. How is the water runoff from the barn handled? Is it put into a municipal system or does there need to be a way to treat that water on the property? Exercising equipment has increasingly become more sophisticated and we get to work out ways to incorporate the new mechanics into a building. For instance, does it need to be in a pit? Does the pit have to be drained? How are the utilities coming onto it and how are those accommodated? I think there will always be exciting new advancements to keep your horse competitive and in top physical shape. Expansion for the next new thing is certainly discussed and always brought into the scope.
What role does landscaping play in your designs, and how does it enhance the functionality or aesthetic of the space?
Landscape architecture is a huge component of every project that we do. Consideration for the natural environment, the views, grounds, outdoor entertainment areas, privacy, and the entry sequence among other details helps establish the identity and functionality of a given property. On the practical side, we make sure that the infrastructure is sustainable and supports the owner’s requirements.
“The entire complex, including how buildings related to each other, was informed by local tradition. ”
DESIGNING IN Germany
Could you describe the equestrian project you worked on in Germany?
Our client purchased a significant property to establish a horse breeding facility. He also aspired to host his own Grand Prix on the grounds. There was nothing historic on the site except for the trees and pastures and access points, so this was a project conceived entirely from the ground up. The client's desired aesthetic was that of a traditional old farm typical to the region. Our firm initially served as the aesthetic consultant but ended up designing the entire property before turning it over to a local architect of record and contractor to build. To understand the regional environment and landscape, we traveled to Germany to explore the vernacular barns and farm buildings and identified reoccurring architectural themes and building materials, which led not only the design of the new purpose-built structures, but the adjacent courtyards and barnyard spaces. The entire complex, including how buildings related to each other, was informed by local tradition. The result looks as if it has always been there and the farm functions precisely as the client desired.
What unique challenges did you face in designing or building in Germany—whether due to regulations, climate, or local architectural styles?
What comes immediately to mind was not actually as much of a challenge as a revelation! Storm water treatment through small personal treatment facilities are commonplace in Germany and are a very interesting solution. In the United States, treatment of stormwater is handled by a municipal facility and properties are required to have access points to hold the water or sewers that lead to a town or city plant. This is unnecessary in Germany, which is pretty nice. It was also easy to implement as the advancement in technology was already in place.
How did the German project influence your approach to future equestrian designs?
In some ways this project spoiled us a bit. We were very fortunate to work on such a large-scale facility with wonderful building materials and extremely skilled craftspeople at our disposal. We had unprecedented access to reclaimed materials and artisans who took pride in realizing the clay tile roof, the brick and timber details, and custom windows and hardware. This is normal building practice in Germany but atypical in our experience. That said, it does raise the bar for future designs so that’s exciting to us!
Reflection
What has been the most fulfilling part of designing these spaces, knowing they serve both people and animals?
All our architectural commissions are gratifying because we fulfill dreams, often on a magnificent scale, and our clients, including their horses, love and use the properties fully. Our projects are beautifully executed, purposeful, and are intended to serve as a legacy for many generations. Our interest and expertise in equestrian architecture comes from designing barns and stables and supporting spaces as a significant component of a larger estate. Often, the utility of the equestrian buildings define the character of a place and a lifestyle, which interests us tremendously. We are uniquely prepared and excited for every opportunity to provide the superb design, building materials, and craftsmanship that comprise iconic, heirloom estates.
