n the fall of 2013, the owners of this 100-year-
old barn started a renovation and addition to
create a multi-use living and entertaining space
for their family. Initially, the design of both the
interior and exterior was kept relatively simple.
However, shortly after breaking ground, the
owners stumbled upon our website, dtcarchitects.com.
Upon seeing the frm's work, particularly the design of
another award-winning barn, they knew they needed to
switch gears.
Structural and construction challenges surrounded
the project from the beginning. Te previously designed
addition was a utilitarian two-story box with a roof
pitch shallower than the original barn. Te sleeping
quarters were in the midst of the entertaining spaces,
and a pool table room in the existing barn had a 7-in.
sag in its foor.
While we redesigned the addition and assessed existing
issues, including the need for a completely new structural
system in the existing barn, the contractor was racing to
put up the walls. It took a while for us to get on the same
page with the contractor. Te contractor wanted to work
quickly before the weather changed, and we wanted him
to slow down enough for us to improve the design.
To buy some time, the project team focused on the
existing barn frst. Te foor was restructured, a new roof
put on and a dormer added to provide some much needed
light. We knew the sleeping space needed to be located in
Barn Makeover
A dilapidated barn receives a total makeover and an addition to
create an entertaining space for a family, who uses it weekly By Dan Contelmo
I
42 January 2016 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com
PROJECTS: Designer's Notebook