Rusting corrugated steel barn with African influences

Wolfe Residence was designed by Ehrlich Architects for an African art dealer/collector and big game hunter and his family in West Los Angeles, California. The 3,400 square foot sustainable residence is a rusting Cor-ten steel barn showcasing the owner’s ever-changing collection of African art and furniture, taking full advantage of Southern California’s benign climate. The Owner and the Architect share a deep love of, and a long history with Africa where the Architect lived for six years and the Owner continues to visit and engage local artists every year. Their shared connection with this continent was an instrumental influence on the architecture, landscape, and interiors.

The corrugated Cor-ten steel roof wraps continuously around the roof to the walls to the ground, showcasing the naturally weathering material. Oversized sliding glass doors open the steel structure up on two sides (sliding into wall pockets), transforming the house into an airy pavilion. The owner’s collection of African art is displayed on the large white walls of the main living area.

The 13 foot high, white walls of the main living space display eclectic African treasures from many regions. A zebra print carpet covers the stairs leading to the upper floor and mezzanine, past a skylit moosehead hanging on the stairwell wall, continuing the African wilderness theme present throughout the house. The upstairs master bedroom suite features a balcony overlooking the backyard pool and a “his and hers” walk in closet that were customized to expresses the Hunter and the Hunted which the Owners religiously dress as. Sustainable landscaping is achieved with extensive zero-scape, native plants and bark and sand ground cover. African hardwood stools mix with found and recycled artifacts, and a basketball hoop.

Photos: Grant Mudford

Contemporary barn conversion in the Cotswolds

Brotherton Barn is a stunning contemporary conversion of a Grade 2 listed detached Cotswold, England stone barn originally constructed circa 1759. The 3,229 square foot structure was designed by The Anderson Orr Partnership, whose clients wished to have an effortless connection between the open plan living area and the secluded master bedroom suite without detracting from the height and volume of the vaulted spaces of the barn.

The second key element for the barn conversion brief was how to design the entrance. With most barn conversions you find giving the building its own distinct entrance difficult because you’re working with the original openings and these tend to be large openings to the sides of the building.

For the principle entrance a single storey element already existed. Both the architects and the client felt they could utilize this element for the entrance by opening up the roof with glazing and inserting a pod which neatly houses the utility and cloakroom. What has been created now gives the approaching visitor a sense of arrival and an idea of what can be expected inside.

More than half the building to the rear section of the barn was lowered into the ground to ensure two storeys could be accommodated within the existing envelope of the barn. In addition the original buttress and stone walls were sensitively repaired and rebuilt; the original roof had also fallen to disrepair and in places collapsed.

To provide the effortless connection between the open plan living area and the secluded master bedroom suite, a floating oak staircase and gallery was designed.

Photographs: David Stewart

Converted 18th century Cotswolds Village barn

Despite his lack of building experience or skills, owner Mark Collins converted a huge stone barn in the country into a warm and welcoming show-stopping home. Believed to date back to the early 18th century, this stone barn in England’s Cotswolds has been converted into a five-bedroom home with contemporary interiors, its own art gallery, gym, sauna and glass-encased spiral staircase. The whole scheme was dreamt up by Mark, who, without any design experience, worked with local builders and craftsmen. The barn is 50 meters long, comprised of 8,072 square feet (750 square meters) of living space and an additional 2,691 square feet (250 square meters) in the basement level.

The barn was purchased back in 2004 and had planning permission to split the building into two uses, one part residential and the other for commercial purposes (for office space). Mark, who is the director of a telecommunications company, saw the potential to turn this barn into a fabulous, large home combined with the character of its agricultural history and striking features and contemporary interiors. Taking five years to complete, 80 per cent of the building was taken away, the existing structure was underpinned and the whole roof was rebuilt, introducing a new oak structure supported by steel. Throughout the barn, Mark used a limited palette and natural materials of stone, oak, glass and steel.

The interiors were designed very open and functional, without subdividing it into a lot of rooms.

The ground floor includes two bedrooms, a day room, kitchen and dining room. There is an entertainment suite, studio, library and art gallery on the lower ground floor. The master bedroom, two further bedrooms and an office are on the first floor.

Photos: Smiths Gore

Unforgettable barn conversion: Roxbury Barn

This chic re-purposed dairy barn in Roxbury, Connecticut, spotted on Sotheby’s Realty was designed by an Oscar winning photographer / inventor and his wife. It was totally rebuilt from the foundation up. A local landmark, the barn has been recognized by the Roxbury Historical Society for the owners’ sensitive yet imaginative preservation and restoration. The owners understood the potential of the large 15,000 square foot barn. The barn is now a fabulous loft- like space with 17 foot ceilings and new banks of windows which bring the outdoors in season by season. There are lovely sweeping pastoral views and brilliant sunsets across the 45 acres of hayfields.

After tearing out the existing feed pipes, stalls, troughs, and, the entire four foot deep foundation a giant shell remained. Not only new walls and new floors but a large radiant heating system was installed as well as new wiring, plumbing, drainage, insulation, and central air conditioning. Materials were recycled when possible; many steel beams came from Connecticut’s old Danbury Fair Grounds. Interior walls were framed for the open public rooms which include two seating areas -one with fireplace, a large dining area and a professional kitchen with wood fired pizza oven.

There are three en-suite bedrooms, a screening room, large office, utility pantries, sauna and a six car garage. Above the living area is a semi-finished studio space where the owners camped out while renovations were taking place. Lately it has been used as an art studio, for photography shoots and dance rehearsals. Living here is like being one with nature, yet less than two hours from Manhattan. The Roxbury Barn is perfect for entertaining and creativity and versatility as well as being great fun to live in.

This incredible barn conversion is listed for sale at $1,599,000 ,from here.

Nineteenth century restored barn in the Catskills

The Bovina Residence is a stunning timber frame home from a nineteenth century barn that has been restored and raised on a new site in the Catskills, New York. Designed by kimberly peck architect, the goal of this project was to build a house that would be energy efficient using materials that were both economical and environmentally conscious. Due to the extremely cold winter weather conditions in the Catskills, insulating the house was a primary concern. The entirety of the timber frame has been wrapped in SIPs (structural insulated panels), both walls and the roof.

The 1,945 square foot house sits on a poured concrete slab with a radiant heating system inside and the top of the slab was polished and left exposed as the flooring surface. Fiberglass windows were chosen for their green properties. The house utilizes an air exchanger, a device that brings fresh air in from outside without losing heat and circulates the air within the house to move warmer air down from the second floor.

Additional green materials used in the home include reclaimed barn wood used for the floor and ceiling of the second floor, reclaimed wood stairs and bathroom vanity, and an on-demand hot water/boiler system. The exterior of the house is clad in black corrugated aluminum with an aluminum standing seam roof. Because of the extremely cold winter temperatures windows are used discerningly, the three largest windows are on the first floor providing the main living areas with a majestic view of the Catskill Mountains.

Beautiful country estate with a modern art gallery

This sensational project expands the concept of the original program of the Wiley house, a mid-century modern residence in New Canaan, Connecticut designed by Philip Johnson. The home was recently acquired with the intention of restoring the residence and adding a new pool house, private gallery, and garage with the help of architecture firm Roger Ferris + Partners. The architect emphasized respecting the integrity of the property, carefully integrating new structures into the site so that they complement and defer to the original house.

Here is a description of the project from the architects, “The concrete volumes of the pool house and garage were minimized by inserting them into the hillside. All new exterior and restoration materials were reviewed and selected on site to harmonize with the existing residence.”

“The minimalist art gallery was constructed on the foundation of a 19th-century barn and designed with a traditional gabled roof form. The Gallery’s solid black massing creates a contemporary backdrop for Johnson’s transparent house. The interior is designed to be bright, simple, and clean, acting as backdrop for the art. All lighting is adjustable to best emphasize the art; ventilation is provided by linear diffusers integrated into nearly invisible reveals at the gable ends.”

“Locating the new pool house was challenging: it required consideration of the preexisting relationships of barn, pool, landscaping, and house. The design aligns the submerged pool house with an existing retaining wall: pool, pool house, barn, and residence form a new nucleus for the site. Acting as gatehouse, a new garage marks the entrance to the estate. The height of the new pool house and the garage follows the height set by the barn foundation walls and the base of the Wiley Residence.”

Photo: Paùl Rivera © Archphoto

Exceptional Mediterranean vineyard estate

Spotted on Sotheby’s Realty is this impressive 50 acre residential vineyard estate, sprawled in the countryside and surrounded by rolling vineyards in Sonoma, California. Meandering pathways link the amenities of this beautiful estate, from the refined vintage style barn and spectacular kitchen garden to the stunning main residence, pool and terrace. The sophisticated 6,067 square foot, three bedroom, five bathroom estate was designed by renowned San Francisco architectural firm, BAR Architects. Exuding a clean, crisp, classic and elegantly informal design, the residence combines European old world architecture with modern design elements that blend harmoniously to create soft rustic warmth with modern style.

The entire residence has been completely renovated with a thoughtful floor plan that flows easily between public and private areas. The residence has been crafted with the highest quality and premium design features such as limestone flooring, stonework, artisan crafted cabinetry and designer fixtures. Features of the home includes, chefs kitchen, home office, library, guest suite, indoor pool, spa/hot tub, barn, gardens, guest house, outdoor pool and shower, terrace, balcony, outdoor BBQ/fireplace and fabulous mountain and vineyard views.

This stunning vineyard estate is listed for sale at $11,500,000, from here.

Refurbished old rustic barn home in Spain

In Girona, almost on the border of France, rests this old rustic barn that has been refurbished. During its reform, the objective was to respect and preserve the original character of the home, yet ended up being a home that was made to measure. Its owners are a married couple from Barcelona, who desired to have a comfortable and cozy atmosphere and keep the aesthetics in harmony with nature. The house was not to protrude but to adapt to this privileged place. The structure was restored by reinforcing with beams and other materials from demolition stores. The result is a spacious house with four rooms and two floors with their respective bathrooms and a discreet guest pavilion annex.

The ground floor is an open space, with a spacious kitchen, office, reception room and a guest bedroom. The top floor houses a very bright and sunny living room and three bedrooms. Warm wooden floors were installed on the top floor, while on the bottom floor is grey polished cement, which give a very modern touch.

Decorator Gemma Matoes who owns the design store, Taller dels Somnis, was responsible for translating many of the ideas of the owners. “We did many custom-made furnishings, mostly from recycled items”. Being in harmony with the environment and how the house was going to appear from the outside were the major concerns of the owners. Therefore, the choice of materials, the carpentry, which was inspired by traditional models of the country houses and the colors were conditioned by this idea. The result is a reflection of this philosophy, a balanced mixture of Empordà tradition and influences from Provence, in whose style also inspired this house.

Charming barn house infused with style in Burgundy

This rustic barn was refurbished into a home full of energy and unique style in Burgundy, France by Josephine Interior Design. With concrete flooring, whitewashed walls, high ceilings and exposed beams, punctuated by contemporary art, bold colors, a layering of textures and rustic-modern mixed with vintage and whimsical detailing exudes charm. A large built-in concrete island in the kitchen features open shelving for dishes to be easily accessible. The 4,305 square foot (400 square meters) open floor plan is airy and spacious with beautiful chandeliers hanging over the kitchen, dining and living areas. A metal grated catwalk resting on the aged wooden beams links the upstairs mezzanine levels on either side of the house, with bedrooms on one side and a lounge on the other. This is a wonderful home for entertaining family and friends on a beautifully landscaped property.

A barn house retreat in the hills of New York

This upstate New York barn house is a weekend home for a Brooklyn, New York, couple who love to entertain designed by architect Nina Gotlieb, situated in Clinton Corners, Dutchess County, New York. The country house was designed to create a relationship between the house and its forest setting. Building from the ground up, the inspiration for the project was to tell a story, using simple barn structures in the area as a reference. Gotlieb wanted the home to be open, airy and simple with modern, crisp detailing, but she also didn’t want everything to look too new so she chose her materials carefully. Everything needed to have character and soul, objects with history, industrial antiques mixed with warm leathers and wood.

The home is comprised of 2,700 square feet of living space with 3 bedrooms, 2.5 bathrooms and a den. Although the home speaks the architectural vernacular of other barns nearby, there is a whisper of Japanese influence inside. Although Gotlieb built the house for weekenders, the house could easily convert into a full-time home. The bedrooms were designed for crashing so they were made small and the public gathering spaces were made larger for entertaining. Gotlieb used natural spray-foam insulation in conjunction with a fresh-air return system to keep the house tight yet breathable; mold is never a problem. The labor and materials that went into the house were local. Via

A fire pit visible from the interior and the pool area makes summertime night gatherings an outdoor affair.

The house sees its fair share of weekend and summer guests, so Gotlieb maximized the availability and functionality of public spaces. The most coveted lounging area in the house is the covered porch on the second floor, a lovely spot for watching the rain fall. The lights came from 1000bulbs.com and they are wrapped around the steel turnbuckle collar ties.

The entryway is both practical and minimalist: Ceramic hex tiles protect the hardwood floors while custom cabinetry houses coats, shoes and other loose items. The doors also serve to cut off the rest of the house from the den (behind the wall, not pictured) when that room is being used as an extra bedroom.

The lighting above the table is from Pottery Barn.

Floor-to-ceiling windows surrounding the dining area, the living room and the kitchen make the land part of the experience.

Gotlieb’s favorite part of the weekend home is the kitchen. She sized the island with wider dimensions to accommodate a number of cooks and handlers working at the same time.

Cranes wallpaper by Florence Broadhurst, minimalist furnishings, simple lines and unobstructed vistas.

Eye-level windows in the master bedroom frame the forest views. Bud vases from CB2 filled with copper BB pellets form the raindrop-like installation above the bed. His-and-her face pillows add a whimsical touch, from K Studio.

Gotlieb uses wooden crates as bookshelves in the guest room and added suitcase racks for easy access to weekend bags.