WOOD WISE
The barn ’ s original timber framing was left in place , giving the house a rigorous tripartite plan .
VMA renovates historic barn into family home
Adapted from Amazing Architecture
Blue Bell , Pennsylvania — Voith & Mactavish Architects converts an early 19thcentury bank barn into a house for a Blue Bell family .
The barn , which sits adjacent to the farmhouse in which the clients had lived for 25 years , was converted into their primary house through an intensive renovation . Initially planned as an entertaining space and guesthouse , the clients were convinced to think beyond their original plans and turn it into their primary residence .
REFERENCE :
" Farm Refresh : A Masterful Barn Conversion in Blue Bell " by Jane Jennings . Philadelphia Magazine , May 2015 .
“ If you ’ re going to go through all of that trouble , you ’ re going to want to live there ,” says Daniela Holt Voith , VMA founding partner and director of design .
VMA ’ s design strategy allowed the existing historic structure to lead the way . The barn ’ s original timber framing was left in place , giving the house a rigorous tripartite plan . VMA preserved the barn ’ s stone walls and glazed the wood-clad walls . Insulation was added on the exterior to allow the historic barn finishes to remain in the interior .
To promote upward openness , the barn structure was selectively removed and reinforced to incorporate a new upper floor on the two outer bays . Two bridges connect the two sides of the inserted second floor , which houses the main suite , a bedroom , and an office . A multi-storey window wall in the dining room overlooks the upper-level porch and garden . The ground floor was excavated to provide adequate height for a guest room and a family room .
The barn ’ s paddock was converted into a garden . A flagstone terrace under the porch features a heated spa , with an outdoor fireplace built into the paddock wall . Terraced pathways and a new meadowinspired garden lead to the newly constructed space .
The conversion was led by Daniela Holt Voith , in partnership with landscape designer Victoria Steiger .
ALL IMAGES : JEFFREY TOTARO
< image > Roy Southey < credit > SSA < caption > Roy Southey , executive director of Sawmilling SA ( SSA ) spoke to Timber iQ recently .
VMA ’ s design strategy allowed the existing historic structure to lead the way .
28 OCTOBER / NOVEMBER 2021 // www . timberiq . co . za