Three-Part Invention
One good barn deserves another! I have written about this house type as a rich source of design ideas before, and here is the latest Farmhouse Modern variation designed by Houseplans.com architect Nicholas Lee, AIA. It has the
classic three-part organization of a vintage barn: tall central gable flanked by lower side shed-roofed wings, but here those wings are deep porches running the length of the house. The additional twist is the tall window wall at the fireplace end of the vaulted great room, as you can see above. The expanse of glass adds a modern element to the traditional sheltering porches and rustic board and
batten siding. The simple but very contemporary layout includes a vaulted great room containing an island kitchen at one end under a loft office. The master suite forms the opposite end of the house. The stairway occupies the center
of the house and additional bedrooms and baths are behind the office on the second floor. The great room, kitchen, and master bedroom all open to both
porches for graceful indoor-outdoor flow. The design suits rural sites and temperate climates. If insects are a problem one or both porches could be
screened. Depending on orientation, views, wind, and other site conditions, one porch could be for use in the morning and the other for midday or evening.
The light-filled, open rooms — with minimalist modern touches as shown in the glass railing in the loft over the kitchen — contrast with the dark woodsy quality of many vintage barns. It’s the kind of design that allows easy adaptation. Bravo Nick!
To see other discussions of barn houses, click here. To browse more variations on the barn idea click here.
