This post and beam barn house was reimagined by ZeroEnergy Design, located in the charming coastal town of Rye, Rockingham County, New Hampshire. The homeowners desired a comfortable, year-round dwelling with a rustic modern aesthetic, private workspaces, generous ceilings, and low energy consumption. There are three bedrooms and two-and-a-half bathrooms in this home.
The existing New England barn shell had been partially used as a residence, albeit with significant room for improvement. The primary living area was out of scale, the primary suite was tiny and without closet space, the basement was damp, and the overall building was nearly as cold and drafty as one would expect of a barn.
DESIGN DETAILS: ARCHITECT ZeroEnergy Design BUILDER Futuro Construction LANDSCAPE DESIGN Ruth Crosby
Looking at the 6,500 square foot vast post and beam space with a fresh perspective, opportunities were seized to re-allocate space, redefine ceiling heights, create a continuous super-insulated thermal envelope of 2,800 square feet, and focus on the opportunities presented by the building’s existing orientation and siting.
The new design for the open concept living space focused on the eastern and southern sides of the home, maximizing natural light, and elevating the ceiling in some areas to expose the post and beam structure. The southern wall of the living space, previously occupied by a closet, now has French doors with clerestory windows above that open directly to the side yard.
The kitchen, with added space and ceiling height, now offers extensive storage and prep space, a walk-in pantry, and elevated windows that optimize daylight. A first-floor office/painting studio with northern light abuts the living space.
What We Love: This cool barn residence provides soaring ceilings and comfortable, rustic details throughout its inviting layout. The project team did a fabulous job of reimagining this structure to meet the lifestyle needs of its inhabitants while enhancing its interior and exterior aesthetics. Overall, we are loving the concept of this home and its serene countryside setting.
Tell Us: Could you live in this post and beam barn house? Let us know what you think in the Comments!
Note: Take a look at a couple of other fabulous home tours that we have showcased here on One Kindesign in the state of New Hampshire: Peaceful lakeside cabin getaway in New Hampshire invites nature inside and Delightful barn style home in New Hampshire with a cottage-inspired feel.
A new stair leads to a second-floor reading area that overlooks the living space and entry, and a music studio. Removed from the rest of the home, the studio includes acoustic dampening and a transom window that looks out to the vast posting and beam structure in the attic.
Also on the first floor of this post and beam barn house is the all-new primary suite. High ceilings define the bedroom, which is then complemented by a substantial walk-in closet and a clean modern bathroom with a soaking tub.
ENERGY PERFORMANCE
Within the existing building envelope, a new thermal shell was created to provide more continuous insulation and better air sealing. Heating, cooling, and hot water are provided by an existing ground source heat pump, and a new heat recovery ventilator brings in continuous fresh air with a minimal energy penalty. Energy Star appliances and induction cooking result in no fossil fuel consumption on site.
Above: The outdoor sofa is from Design Within Reach (DWR) and the manufacturer is Gloster.
PHOTOGRAPHER Eric Roth Photography
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