Recycled oak timbers, corrugated galvanized steel panels and a 100-year-old oak frame help this new barn stay true to the type of the surrounding ranch property. Place from the Santa Ynez mountains of California — close to the roughest homes of Michael Jackson and Ronald Reagan — this duplex is a lively, renewable guesthouse for the customer’s visiting children and grandchildren. Architect Robert Carver and his team constructed the structure to take whole advantage of its spaciousness, while ecofriendly considerations keep its carbon footprint lighting.
in a Glance
Who lives here: A single customer with 2 dogs, 4 brothers and Many grandchildren
Location: Santa Ynez, California
Size: Upper amount is 1,000 square feet, lower level is 1,600 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette
Photography by Claudio Santini
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
Solar hot water panels on the roof supply domestic water as well as heat the in-floor heating system. Carver and his crew oriented the sloped roof to the south so that the solar panels can get maximum light.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
The kitchen, dining room, living room and master suite of the residential unit sit on a loft flat, while kids’ rooms and a huge play area constitute the lower level.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
Carver integrated passive cooling into the home too. While there is a fan for the entire structure, a cupolaand that the huge barn doors allow for ample ventilation, eliminating the need for an air conditioner.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
Few raw or virgin materials were used throughout the structure; materials used include the 100-year-old wood frame and reclaimed hardwood floors. The concrete foundation, retaining walls and complete slab include fly ash.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
The barn’s structure needed to be adapted for residential purposes. The first-floor ceiling has been increased. Four-foot-tall steel columns sit under every wood post for support.
The timber cabinetry has been sustainably harvested, and the finish is formaldehyde free. All the timber finishes have zero or low VOCs. All the appliances are Energy Star certified.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
Even a pair of kitchen drawers uses older materials. Carver and his team used old produce boxes to create a custom storage unit.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
Translucent fiberglass Kalwall panels around the outside add a soft glow to the inside throughout the day. “The quality of the daytime is heavenly,” says Carver. Interior lighting at nighttime showcases the wood barn structure as a subtle and complicated surprise.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
The huge barn doors roll open on massive tracks, showing the historical interior framing. The corrugated steel siding and roofing also have recycled materials.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
Originally, Carver wanted to situate the guesthouse closer to the principal home, but according to county regulations, its place on a ridge would make it inaccessible to fire trucks. He piled the house into the base of the website’s hill, closer to the street.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
Natural stone floors and corrugated metal walls add to the industrial vibe from the bathrooms. All the bathroom sinks are made of recycled water buckets. Each bathroom has a dual-flush mechanism to cut back on water usage.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
The kids’ rooms on the lower level are tucked beneath secure doors, adding into the barn’s real style.
Studio Carver Architects, Inc..
Normally, Carver would have set the house parallel to the hillside, but the team reoriented it 90 degrees to maximize solar and passive access.
The surrounding hillside was planted with all-native landscaping; it’s watered with drip irrigation out of collected rainwater.