CHARRED barn
Design Team:
Builder: Thompson & Foster Construction
Featured Artisan: Shawn Hollenshead (Millwork)
Photographer: Jeffrey Totaro
Contrasting heavy timber against concrete and steel, this barn combines modern and traditional methods of construction. An honest and simple interior tells the story of how the building was made. The structure has a stair tower capped with a light shaft that reaches past the roof with views to the sky. Varied spatial volumes are integral to this experience of the building, and the landscape playfully joins in this expression, undulating up and down.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
MaMo Architects spearheaded the project, advocating for an integrated design process that places equal importance on the land, the client, and the program. Collaboration with key stakeholders such as Don Pell for landscape design, reSAWN TIMBER Co for sustainable exterior siding, and Shawn Hollenshead for craftsmanship in millwork was crucial. The structural challenges were addressed with innovative solutions, pushing the boundaries of concrete construction and integrating sustainable practices from the outset.
Project Goals and Conceptualization
The "Charred Barn" project set out to construct a sculptural barn that harmonizes with the surrounding agrarian landscape, using sustainable principles to guide its design. The project aimed to reconnect the owners with nature, invoking the nostalgia of childhood and carefully framing views into the landscape. Drawing inspiration from the utilitarian structures of Pennsylvania, the design evolved to blend residential qualities with the aesthetic of a barn, highlighting the use of concrete to achieve both form and function.
Arrival elevation. Entry through the mudroom. Dark palette so the building becomes subordinate to the landscape. A single color accentuates the textures of the materials. Trellis wall becomes railing for the roof deck and begins to disappear behind plant material.
Arrival elevation: Entry through the mudroom. Dark palette so the building becomes subordinate to the landscape. A single color accentuates the textures of the materials. Trellis wall becomes railing for the roof deck and begins to disappear behind plant material.
View of Stair from Kitchen: Polished concrete floors, reclaimed timbers used in timber frame for the stair, wood burning stove becomes primary heat source because of triple pane glass, the materiality of the interiors reflects how the house is built and requires very little additional decoration. True to task, durable and family-friendly.
Owner’s Bath: A simple palette of white marble is used in every bathroom. Boardform concrete shown to the right begins to tell a story about how the house was built while the textures create a sense of scale and warmth. Impressions in the concrete speak to its making.
Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement
Project Overview
What were the initial goals or objectives set for the project during the conceptualization phase?
To design a sculptural barn in an agrarian landscape using sustainable principles as a design filter. Reconnect the owners to nature in a sense that brings back memories of one’s childhood. To frame views into the landscape.
How was the initial concept for the project developed, and what were the primary inspirations or influences?
Agrian landscape of pennsylvania, utilitarian structures versus residential, carving away from a barn, concrete was always a goal for the overall construction method.
What (if any) were the key considerations taken into account during the design phase, particularly concerning sustainability and eco-friendly architecture?
Numerous things were taken into consideration during design. Site orientation, construction methods, thermal mass, low VOCs, natural venting, light penetration, healthy materials, geothermal heating/cooling, ICF construction, triple pane glass, polished concrete floors, recycled content, durability, photovoltaic, battery storage, natural landscapes, outdoor living, custom exterior furniture, LED lights, heat chimneys and trellis/ sunshades
Collaboration and Stakeholder Involvement
Who were the key stakeholders involved in the project (if you are allowed and/or what to say), and what was their role in the design and decision-making process?
MaMo always says there are three clients at the table…the Land, the client, and the program. Selecting a builder that focused on concrete parking garages helped achieve the utilitarian feel. Don Pell with creating the naturalized landscape, reSAWN TIMBER Co for the exterior siding, ATAS metal roofing and Shawn Hollenshead for millwork.
How did MAMO Architects collaborate with other professionals, such as engineers, contractors, and sustainability consultants, to ensure the successful execution of the project?
MaMo uses an integrated design process by bringing consultants to the table early on. ‘If you’ve designed a building where the systems don’t fit you've designed the wrong building” . The structural engineer helped us to push the limits of a concrete structure. Understanding that we could carve away corners and not be held to the restrictions of typical stick built construction.
Challenges and Solutions
What were some of the major challenges encountered during the design and construction phases of the project?
The budget for the project was limited. Finding a contractor to fabricate a concrete house. Convincing the clients to explore a design that was unique and untested.
How were these challenges addressed and overcome, particularly in relation to achieving the project's goals?
Communication. Coordination. Listening
Sustainable Design Features
What specific sustainable design features were incorporated into the project, such as energy-efficient systems, passive design strategies, or use of sustainable materials?
Site orientation, construction menthods, thermal mass, low vocs, natural venting, light penetration, healthy materials, geothermal heating/cooling, ICF construction, triple pane glass, recycled content, durability, photovoltaic, battery storage, natural landscapes, outdoor living, LED lights,wood burning stove, heat chimneys, automated skylights and trellis/ sunshades
Can you provide examples of innovative or unique sustainable solutions implemented in the project?
Corrugated metal, thermally treated woods, natural chimney, carving away at a concrete structure because its structural properties allow that and creating overhangs to control solar heat gain. Using wood harvested from the site for a large portion of the millwork.
Construction and Implementation
Were there any notable construction techniques or methodologies employed to enhance the project's sustainability?
ICF Construction, Lite Deck, Rain Screen, PV panels, Geothermal wells, Operable skylight, thermal mass, recycled content…most of the millwork was made from reclaimed wood.