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The Red Barn
By : Cecconi Simone
GRANDS PRIX DU DESIGN – 16th edition
Discipline : Interior Design : Grand Winner
Categories : Residence / Cottage & Country House : Platinum Winner
Categories : Special Awards / Heritage Preservation : Gold Certification
An inspiring and magical transformation from a derelict, deserted run-down barn to a sophisticated, warm, inviting residence, the barns interiors have been thoughtfully and respectfully executed. The barn vernacular is celebrated while incorporating modern-day amenities. The scale and proportion of the interiors is deftly handled: normally characterized with vast spaces and soaring ceilings, the designers’ use of space, lighting concepts, material selections, and furniture/accessories all combine to create a tactile, human-scaled interior.
Located approximately 120 km west of Toronto, Canada this .93-hectare property has two barns which were annexed from the farmhouse. The Main Barn was built in the 1800s and had an Addition sometime after. The design brief was to restore the property and convert it to residential usage while maintaining the authenticity of the barn.
After many years of disuse and minimal maintenance, the barns were derelict. Structural issues, water penetration, mold, rotted timbers, lack of proper wall footings/foundations, no insulation were challenges encountered. In addition, the property is a heritage building: protected items include windows, doors, barn cladding, stone foundation walls and roofing. While the interiors are not considered heritage, every effort was made to keep, restore, and enhance existing elements; many of the exterior finishes were brought into the interiors for continuity.
Guests to the barn arrive at the main level through a vestibule into the entry hall. The timber structure which was accentuated using shadow-mold drove the functional layout of this level. The kitchen is the hub and is centered under the peak which rises 13.5 meters. A feature wall was added with the ‘vacancy sign’ to screen the fridges and wall ovens from the entry hall. The fireplaces utilize stone and mortar style found on the exterior. The millwork is clad with reclaimed barn board. Countertops are a natural soapstone. The existing floors and ceilings were whitewashed. With windows on all four sides, the spaces are light-filled and airy; views of the property are spectacular.
For the master suite, north-facing skylights and massive windows provide light-filled spaces with a fantastic view to the exterior. Materials and palette from the main level are continued throughout. Special touches such as black chandeliers over the bed and tub, canopy bed and built-in servery create an oasis.
For the lower-level guest rooms, all existing stable walls and doors were removed and restored. Georgian wire glass was added for privacy as well as door sweeps for acoustics and locks for the bathrooms. The existing asphalt floors had to be removed, in-floor heating added, and new concrete slab poured. There is an oversized sliding door that opens from the social space onto a terrace which has a lounge and BBQ. The sliding door is new to replicate the original.
The connectedness with nature and to the building’s past is inspiring and uplifting. The interiors honour the building’s history yet have created a befitting residence. It is an oasis, a place of respite, a sanctuary: truly the definition of ‘home.’
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