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Houzz Tour: Family Matters in a Barn-Turned-Guesthouse
Kids and grandkids always have a place to stay (and play) in this ecofriendly guesthouse in the California hills
Recycled oak timbers, corrugated galvanized steel panels and a 100-year-old oak frame help this new barn stay true to the style of the surrounding ranch property. Set in the Santa Ynez hills of California — near the onetime homes of Michael Jackson and Ronald Reagan — this barn is a playful, sustainable guesthouse for the client's visiting children and grandchildren. Architect Robert Carver and his team built the structure to take full advantage of its spaciousness, while ecofriendly considerations keep its carbon footprint light.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A single client with 2 dogs, 4 daughters and several grandchildren
Location: Santa Ynez, California
Size: Upper level is 1,000 square feet, lower level is 1,600 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette
Photography by Claudio Santini
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A single client with 2 dogs, 4 daughters and several grandchildren
Location: Santa Ynez, California
Size: Upper level is 1,000 square feet, lower level is 1,600 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette
Photography by Claudio Santini
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by Studio Carver
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| Solar hot water panels on the roof provide domestic water as well as heat the in-floor heating system. Carver and his team oriented the sloped roof to the south so the solar panels could receive maximum light. |
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by Studio Carver
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| The kitchen, dining room, living room and master suite of this residential unit sit on a loft level, while kids' rooms and a large play area make up the lower level. |
by Studio Carver
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Carver integrated passive cooling into the house as well. While there's a fan for the entire structure, a cupola and the large barn doors allow for ample ventilation, eliminating the need for an air conditioner.
by Studio Carver
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Few raw or virgin materials were used throughout the structure; materials used include the 100-year-old timber frame and reclaimed wood floors. The concrete foundation, retaining walls and finish slab contain fly ash.
by Studio Carver
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The barn's structure needed to be adapted for residential purposes. The first-floor ceiling was raised. Four-foot-tall steel columns sit under each timber post for support.
The wood cabinetry was sustainably harvested, and the finish is formaldehyde free. All the wood finishes have low or zero VOCs. All the appliances are Energy Star certified.
The wood cabinetry was sustainably harvested, and the finish is formaldehyde free. All the wood finishes have low or zero VOCs. All the appliances are Energy Star certified.
by Studio Carver
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Even a set of kitchen drawers makes use of old materials. Carver and his team used old produce boxes to create a custom storage unit.
by Studio Carver
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Translucent fiberglass Kalwall panels on the exterior add a soft glow to the interior during the day. "The quality of the daylight is heavenly," says Carver. Interior lighting at night showcases the timber barn structure as a sophisticated and subtle surprise.
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by Studio Carver
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| The huge barn doors roll open on massive tracks, revealing the historic interior framing. The corrugated steel siding and roof also have recycled materials. |
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by Studio Carver
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| Originally, Carver wanted to situate the guesthouse closer to the main home, but according to county regulations, its location on a ridge would make it inaccessible to fire trucks. So he nestled the home into the bottom of the site's hill, closer to the road. |
by Studio Carver
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Natural stone floors and corrugated metal walls add to the industrial vibe in the bathrooms. All the bathroom sinks are made of recycled water buckets. Each toilet has a dual-flush mechanism to cut down on water use.
by Studio Carver
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The kids' rooms on the lower level are tucked behind stable doors, adding to the barn's authentic style.
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by Studio Carver
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| Normally, Carver would have set the house parallel to the hillside, but the team reoriented it 90 degrees to maximize passive and solar access. The surrounding hillside was planted with all-native landscaping; it's watered with drip irrigation from collected rainwater. |
Comments
kandy smith What a very cool place to stay when visiting grandma!!!
8 months ago · Like
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One Specialty Landscape Design, Pools & Hardscape I love the simplicity of this house - definitely seems like a great place to visit!
8 months ago · Like
purrdygirl A strong advocate of conserving energy, I am wondering about the energy efficiency of the fiberglass walls?
8 months ago · Like
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tbosc @Purrdygirl - This is what I find on the Kalwall's thermal properties: (http://www.kalwall.com/walls.htm).
8 months ago · Like
Bowden Carroll Design Quirky and fun!
8 months ago · Like
Chelsea McGraw Storybook Murals This is a terrific guest house but I see it as a dream live/work studio. Fabulous light and ventilation, tall walls, open space, clean, simple, comfy. Love the reclaimed wood floors and walls of windows.
8 months ago · Like
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ellebevy Can I move in to the guest house, please?
8 months ago · Like
Susan Jay Design Practically perfect in every way
8 months ago · Like
Fine Art & Portraits by Laurel Agree with Chelsea. With those frosted walls, the light must be fantastic inside.
8 months ago · Like
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Robin Thomas Fantastic - just love it - shame the panels aren't readily available in NZ.
8 months ago · Like
meggie57 How good to see the Eco principles being used here combined with such style I love it and would love to stay there..
8 months ago · Like
Dolores Stewart Love the simplicity and openness of this space and the use of the old and new. My kinda place!
8 months ago · Like
jonsimpson This looks and feels stunning, I long have coverted a Georgeian orangery as the perfect house but this seems to provide the same light and airyness for a realizable price. One question with no ceiling insulation dosen't this get pretty hot on still days?
8 months ago · Like
loishapi Yup. It sure is a barn. Outside it compels me. Inside it sinks me; then it's fight/flight.
8 months ago · Like
ben_brungraber I was the structural engineer on this beauty. Not easy, to get an old New England barn to withstand California seismic loads - with translucent walls, no less. Great, to see how lovely this turned out. thank you
8 months ago · Like
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mmsalg What first caught my attention was the lighting and the hugeness of the space. What an amazing renovation.
7 months ago · Like
Elyn's Library ben_brungraber - Looks like north bay / Sonoma County - ish? Wow! Congrats on getting assorted permits for this here in earthquake country. I have to assume that on the really hot days we get in northern California now and then, everyone retreats to the downstairs kids play area. Absolutely stunning!
5 months ago · Like
debasmitadewan cool
4 weeks ago · Like
Terri Lehman The water bucket bathroom what is on the walls
12 days ago · Like
Ideabook updated on Oct. 31, 2012.
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