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Project Profiles:
Barn-Livin’s 2005 Green Project: is a 1,260sf open floor plan design emulating a 19th century homestead barn nestled within a Hickory grove. The Barn’s features include 19’ vaulted ceiling heights, on-site fabricated millwork, black-steel spandrels with cast-iron turnbuckles, and a sleeping loft. Various amenities such as rustic hickory cabinetry, modern energy-star appliances, exposed rafters, wood vaulted ceilings with southern skylights, built-in surround sound audio-visual systems, track lighting / dimming systems, heavy-timber open-riser stairs with cable-rails, private sleeping loft exterior balcony, and ground level deck with clam-bar railing system, all compliment this simple design.
The unique post-frame construction methodology and space saving open floor plan design uses 50% less building materials than conventional stick-built homes. Other design features lend to Barn-Livin’ being low maintenance inclusive of gavel splash detail as opposed to roof gutters / downspouts, metal roofing, stained board-n-batten rough-cut wood siding, Ashlar-slate-pattern stamped concrete floor system, which all adds to the rustic appeal and also utilizes a large percentage of locally produced building materials.
Besides being economical to construct, this home is energy efficient. The 1 1/2 story open loft floor plan has an in-floor radiant heat system inclusive of a space-saving-wall-hung high-efficiency boiler to generate both heat and instantaneous domestic hot water, and in conjunction with the exterior envelope’s high-energy efficient components such as spray-on foam insulation and windows / doors; minimizes heat loss. An airtight wood stove offers supplemental heat. The orientation of the gable wall-of-windows and the southern slope skylights uses renewable passive solar energy during the winter months, along with the placement of ceiling fans, circulate heat evenly throughout the open floor plan, and during the summer months along with the clearstory operable windows offer ventilation. By selecting specific building materials such as stamped concrete first floor system and the wall of stone behind the woodstove, stores heat generated by the sun, wood stove fires, and the radiant heating system.
The Barn’s current heating season energy costs, in which indoor climate is maintained to a minimum of 70° F, is less than $600. This is impressive because woodstove fires provided ambience only, consuming less than one face-cord, and considering the home’s volume being 14,400 cubic feet. Annual all-inclusive-energy-costs (electric and propane) are less than 10-cents per cubic foot! This is less than 50% energy usage of conventional homes!!! Renewable solar energy supplemented heating and natural light, while energy efficient mechanical systems and the selective choice of building materials also kept usage to a minimum.
Barn-Livin’ also offers a view from anywhere in the home, and with the gable’s clearstory wall-of-windows, skylights and patio doors, gives the feeling of living outdoors, which in itself reduces cabin fever associated with being closed-in during the winter season. The Barn’s open floor plan and high ceilings promote indoor air quality by the simple concept of more volume per occupant. Also, with the five pairs of patio doors that open to the deck, covered terrace, balcony areas; and at grade entrances, makes this home easily accessible, thus merging outdoor with indoor living space throughout the year….which defines Barn-Livin’ as a lifestyle.
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