Star Splitter Farm Loft and Barn Renovation

The previous owner built the original shed to accommodate farm equipment, machinery, a repair shop, and a place to live and work. Its roof design was an awkward marriage of a gambrel and a single slope. The gambrel section holds an office, butcher shop, and meat aging area on ground level and a 2-level loft apartment above. The larger open area in the shed houses equipment, vehicles, a workshop, and storage. The renovation retains the infrastructure and historical materials while simplifying the form and fenestration and installing more energy-efficient systems. Although the exterior shell was generally intact, the proliferation of randomly sized windows created a chaotic effect, preventing the use of the interior walls. The emphasis was on preservation and ecological best practices in both system design and the restoration of any historical materials.

Inside, the goal was to reuse as much of the existing fabric as possible. The residential interior design features wood salvaged from local barns. Its wide floorboards provide a sense of history. The kitchen cabinetry was refurbished and painted, and the stairs were reconfigured to code; however, there is no new fenestration. A black standing seam roof absorbs heat, reducing winter energy consumption in this cold climate. The loft renovation includes a new stair, bathroom fixtures, and more efficient mechanical systems. A palette of matte-black cabinetry and natural wood is used throughout.

Outside, the addition of a large dormer creates a sculptural form that enlivens the reading of the shed in the landscape. While providing ventilation and helping with water runoff, the main effect is to break the form's simplicity, creating a play of light and shadow as seen from near and far. This change in profile, along with the selective removal of windows, reduces opportunities for leaks and rot, making the shed more robust over time.

Enclosure upgrades, combined with energy-efficient appliances and more flexible mechanical systems, have significantly reduced operating costs. The shed signals a rebirth of humane ranching and ecological, forward-thinking practices. This project ensures an agricultural way of life in this region, one that dates to the late 1700s.