PROJECT NAME:  The Broad Street Barn

PROJECT TYPE:  Single Family Detached

PROJECT CONTEXT:  The project is located just west of the historic Guilford Green.  The existing building was a late nineteenth-century Victorian cow barn that had since fallen into disrepair.  Zoning regulations permitted for the conversion of this barn into a single family residence with the understanding that it would retain its identity as a barn in relationship to the main house. It was also required to be built to the exact size and height of the original structure.  

PROJECT LOCATION: Guilford, CT

PROJECT COMPLETION: Fall 2001

CLIENT:  A widow who desired to realize her long-held dream of converting the Victorian barn on her property into a well-scaled, accessible home for herself close to the center of town.  She wished to preserve certain aspects of the barn, emphasizing the tall ceilings of the loft spaces and the beauty of its timber framing.

DESIGN SOLUTION:  The state of the original frame and foundation were such that we chose to dismantle the barn and salvage reusable materials.   The new Douglas fir timber frame is scaled to the original proportions of the barn and rests upon a new foundation.   The fenestration pattern follows a symmetry and scale typical of the Victorian period while drawing natural light deep into the interior spaces.  Given the spatial constraints of the footprint, a car bay, a workshop, an office and an entry hall were housed on the first floor, while main living spaces were contained in the bright, yet private, loft area above.  In response to the physical needs of the client, we introduced an elevator for easy access to these main living spaces.  The drama and openness of the original hay loft was preserved in the double-height, cathedral-style ceilings in the living and dining areas.  We also positioned the staircase in a central atrium, creating a strong sense of verticality throughout the home.

MATERIALS:    New and recycled materials were introduced to give an eclectic, layered feel. Our natural pallet was carefully combined to present an atmosphere of depth and history.  Functioning as a unifying backdrop to the interior finish, the timber frame makes for a playful   introduction of color and detail through its rosy hues.  The new exterior also respects the historic context of the site by utilizing painted, wide-exposure beveled siding, stone veneer foundation walls, painted casings and wood windows with 2-inch sills.  We incorporated salvaged furniture, stone, rafter tails and eave brackets to assure that the barn retained its original identity.  Where new materials were used, careful interior and exterior detailing reflected the design aesthetic of the original barn.

PROJECT COST:  The project cost was approximately $190 per square foot.