BARN HOUSE

Published in Boston Globe, Barn Again,
ARCHITECT Journal of the AIA

 

The clients were looking for 5,000 sqft of loft living, but with all the modern day comforts: bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, walk-in closets, floor-to-ceiling windows, polished concrete floors with radiant heat.  Rather than build new, a second life was bestowed to an abandoned, 150-year-old horse barn.

The design leaves the timber frame structure fully exposed.  Floating white volumes weave between 8"x8" posts & beams to define habitable spaces while preserving the original scale.  Double-height reveals become intimate passages that create transition zones between living and sleeping areas.  The resulting 4 bedroom 4.5 bathroom dwelling has only 1 interior door, for the powder room.

This project demonstrates that through a thoughtful re-imagination of an abandoned structure, an outdated relic can be infused with relevance for the future.

 

Program:  Residence
Location:  Sterling, MA
Area:  5,500 SF
GC:  Rock Ridge Construction
Timberframe:  Colonial Barn Restoration
Structural:  Fire Tower Engineered Timber 
Photography:  Matt Delphenich