Barn at Walnut Hill

When the architects saw a stately hay barn with a “for-sale” sign, they knew they would save it by making it their home. Their design goals were clear; the exterior would respect the original Dutch gambrel design. Therefore, the original vent and door openings were used for entry, window, and dormer locations.

On the interior, it was important to express the impressive, two-story volume of the barn, to keep the existing structural elements, and to reuse and repurpose any materials removed. Posts and beams were used as focal points. Original cedar siding was preserved and reused as the base of the kitchen island, an accent wall in the powder room, and as the material for sliding barn doors.

For sustainability, solar panels are utilized across the western roof. Motorized blinds control solar gain in summer and allow solar warming in winter. Nearly all systems are automated in the house: heat /air, fans, lights, and lamps are all programmed to come on when needed and to turn off when appropriate.