Outbuilding - barn - barn, from a non-residential outbuilding for a private yard or cottage to a modern energy-efficient home of the "house barn" style. Renovated former bank

An important part of the rural landscape is the peasant estate. In addition to the main housing, the complex of buildings includes premises for utility purposes - a barn, a hayloft, a barn, a bathhouse, and a barn. The grain barn is one of the most significant buildings on a peasant’s estate.

Importance of Cereals

Since ancient times, grain crops have been an important object of cultivation and cultivation. The likely reason that grains have gained a strong niche in human nutrition is their composition. The high carbohydrate content ensures good satiety. Cereals and flour are products that are vital for any peasant family. Farmers everywhere grew grain bread for constant consumption. To store the harvest, it was necessary to build warehouse buildings. All grains grown in the fields were called wheat. Therefore, the ancient name for the barn was “granary.”

The role of the barn in the life of a peasant family

The main purpose of the barn is to store bulk products. He must reliably protect the resulting harvest from damage, fire and theft.

The meaning of the word “barn” in translation from Persian is “shed, storeroom.” The peculiarity of this most important outbuilding is its location. The barn was placed at a distance from the main housing, but subject to the following conditions: it must be visible. A warehouse for storing grain could be built somewhere in front of the windows, near the garden or opposite the gate. With a one-sided type of village development, grain barns were built on the opposite side of the street or “at the back.” Magic rituals were often performed in these buildings. The choice of place for the rituals was not accidental. For peasants who spent their lives worrying about the future harvest, the barn is an image of fertility.

Features of construction

Good-quality barns were a sign of wealth and success of the farmer. To protect the grain from rodents and moisture, the barn frame was placed on high supports. The hole at the bottom of the door served as a hole for the cat. A special roof structure in the form of a log slab reliably protected the grain from precipitation and attempted theft.

A grain barn is a very durable structure. The massive logs of the log house are precisely fitted to each other, without gaps. The floor, made of good quality timber without cracks, is raised high above ground level. An old barn gives the impression of a particularly secure outbuilding, capable of resisting illegal entry. Framed by powerful jambs there were strong doors that were locked with a massive lock. Forged bars were inserted into the narrow windows.

The architecture of these agricultural buildings is quite diverse; it was difficult to see two identical barns. They could differ in the presence of a canopy or upper extension, external or internal stairs, roof slope, and door location.

Internal organization

In former times, they tried to use the area of ​​the estate land as rationally as possible. The old barn was often built on two floors. The internal layout of outbuildings is distinguished by a carefully thought-out arrangement of household items for greater ease of use. A place for storing bulk products (grain, cereals, flour) was determined on the ground floor, in the bottoms located along the walls. A susek was a long, high chest with several compartments, built from tightly fitted boards. Underneath there was a low box into which grain came from the bottom. A passage was left opposite the door. On the top floor of the barn, utensils not used on a daily basis were stored on cross-bars and wide shelves.

During the period of Soviet collectivization, such storage structures as the collective farm barn were gradually replaced by small sheds and elevators for storing large volumes of grain crops.

For a long time, the most important task for peasants, after grain grain was harvested from the fields, was to preserve the harvest they had obtained with such difficulty. The barn was recognized as the optimal place for storing cereals. This is a warehouse building in which the peasant kept stocks of grown crops - wheat, oats or barley. The life of the Russian farmer was inextricably linked with this important economic structure. In the modern life of a farmer, there is no longer a need to build individual barns.

Energy efficient home built in barn style. Private holiday home. Facade.

Outbuildings are an indispensable attribute of any farm. In addition to the residential building and fence, a good owner had already forgotten ones: a barn, a barn or barn, a hayloft, a barn, a cellar, a carriage house. Now instead of them: a universal shed (or garage), change houses, utility units. Facilities where equipment, supplies, fuel, wheeled vehicles are stored. Where there is a workbench and tools for repairs. Where, after all, you can take shelter in bad weather. A barn is built intentionally, according to a plan, or converted from a temporary building (even a residential trailer), which served as housing until the farm was truly equipped. For a person who loves to do things with his own hands, such a shed-workshop sometimes becomes a second home. And it’s interesting to build a shed yourself.

However, it is not only the love of manual labor or the metalworking and turning hobby that draws (to the displeasure of the family) to the barn-workshop. Excessive comfort and standard interior solutions eventually become boring. And it happens that a person deliberately builds his home as a hangar or workshop, as a barn or an old barn. And so that he would not be ashamed to invite guests to such a “house”, and to enjoy the cleanliness and neatness of a cozy home, he arranges it from the inside as a normal place for rest and sleep. The result is a house in the style of a barn or barn.

"Interior" of a pallet shed. Article "Pallet Shed Instructions to Build Your Own." Website "Pallet Furniture and Pallet Projects - 99 Pallets"

At one end of the “line” of sheds are the simplest and most cost-effective structures. This could be a shelter with roofing felt walls above a cellar, a standard metal garage, or a trailer trailer. Often a shed is built from what is at hand, what is left over from the building materials purchased for a residential building. Since the requirements for the construction are not high, you can experiment to your heart’s content and show ingenuity. In order not to waste time and effort, ready-made “frame structures” are used: pallets (pallets), elements of passenger vehicle bodies, dismantled to replace windows and doors. Instead of a foundation, such a barn is placed on small concrete heels or just bricks. You can live inside such sheds only in extreme need. But as temporary shelters, change houses, storage rooms or kitchens, they justify themselves.

Construction of the frame and installation of the roof of the first "passive" house in New York State. JETSON GREEN website

Although in our time the word “barn” refers to a non-residential, unheated room, the construction of which sometimes does not require special permission, its etymology goes back to eastern palaces (and even capital cities are named after such palace architecture - Sarajevo or Bakhchisarai). And modern residential buildings in the “barn” or “storage” style conceptually follow their layout - rooms with walls and a roof without ceilings. Studios fit well into their free space (often limited by external walls with a large proportion of glazing). This space is modeled not by internal walls, but by furniture. Often a bicycle or telescope serves as decoration for the interior of such a barn house (instead of a picture on the wall or a mantelpiece).

Interior of the first Passive House in New York State. JETSON GREEN website

Country houses in this style have nothing in common with traditional housing in the agricultural region. This is a permanent or temporary refuge for a modern city dweller striving for nature. And besides, with a good income to afford heating and lighting a house that is not optimal, in terms of energy efficiency. But even with an abundance of funds, the barn house could not be made comfortable for living in in our sometimes harsh winters. It is impossible without modern solutions and technologies, which are more characteristic of space technology than of DIY construction using improvised means.

Energy efficient home built in barn style. Private holiday home. Side view.

As already noted, the peculiarity of the barn house is a single large internal space, enclosed by walls and a characteristic single/gable roof without ceiling partitions. When using traditional materials and solutions, such a house will have high energy losses. After all, you have to heat the entire internal volume at once, which is not protected by either the attic or external insulated corridor spaces. However, modern thermal insulation materials, multilayer double-glazed windows of large windows with glass with selective transmission of the short-wave region of the spectrum, as well as multilayer walls and recovery systems for ventilation and sewerage networks, make it possible to minimize heat loss. So much so that barn houses can even recover more than 90 percent of the energy lost by a typical typical home. And rightfully classified as a passive, energy-saving, or eco-house. But it all started with a simple barn!

I often get asked questions about my shed. People often ask about sizes in the comments under photos. When I call measurements, many are horrified. The question is always asked: “why so huge?” , or “these Americans never have enough.” Its height from the base to the roof ridge is about 32 feet, which is 9.8 meters, or 3.8 floors with a ceiling height of 2.5 meters.

I have always been in love with such barn-sheds, I saw them in Europe, but I myself had no idea that they were so huge. In fact, its design is very thought out, down to the smallest detail.

Such structures can be found in almost all countries with a traditional farming way of life. They came to America from Europe, and their number here is enormous. Many immigrants came to the new lands specifically to engage in farming, in addition, in the untouched country there were many centuries-old trees (especially oaks and cedars), allowing the construction of large, durable structures. The design is traditionally frame (but there are stone, brick, and also log houses), the frame is made of solid oak beams 20x20 and 25x25 cm. The main structure is made without the use of nails.

From the design of the barn, you can guess where the farmer is from. You can judge your income by color. Red paint indicates the high wealth of the farmer, because 100 years ago the cost of red paint was higher than the cost of white and green.

Most barns have a Danish (Dutch, Scandinavian) roof, what is commonly called a “mansard” roof. It comes with a “visor” and without. The canopy protects the winch, which is suspended on a rail from the roof.

There are barns with a simple, gable (English, German) roof.

There are those with a rounded gable roof; sometimes the roof in such sheds also served as walls, in order to save wood

Round or octagonal barns are not often found; they saved space, but construction was more expensive

Spanish style (monitor roof), mainly used for stables

The finishing style is also different. There are barns in the Gothic style, Tudor style, with various domes (ventilation)

Why is this design convenient? One building housed 25 - 75 cows, calves and a bull. Sometimes - a stable. There was usually a dairy built on the side. In the large passage there is a garage for a tractor, or for other equipment (mowers, plows). The second floor is for storing hay. Hay was good thermal insulation in winter (you can imagine its quantity - from the floor of the second floor to the roof), in summer - the large space on the second floor prevented the barn from overheating.

A large building allows you to save space without burdening the space with many small buildings.

With the development of technology, ramps were built to access the second floor, allowing hay to be loaded using a tractor.

Inside all the barns, under the roof, there was a winch on a trolley to lift hay, straw, and other feed for storage. Horses were used to move up and down; a very large amount of hay was loaded at a time, which was previously compacted (using the same winch and a special device), giving it the shape of round bales.

Many barns still stand, many are being restored, and there is even a foundation for the preservation of barns as part of cultural heritage and historical value (most were built in the 1800s and early 1900s).

You can often see them in a dilapidated state; many demolish them, since restoration will cost more than the construction of a modern metal structure. I always feel very sorry for such sheds (just like many houses in Russian villages)

It is very popular to convert barns into houses or office space, especially where the suburbs are encroaching on villages.

Restaurants, mini-hotels, art galleries and museums, workshops and private shops from barns are also not uncommon.

But many, many generations of ordinary farmers still use the “services” of the good old barn. Many people decorate them with various designs.

The decoration inside is quite simple. But I really like the huge roof and giant wooden beams

Barns are an integral part of America's rural landscape, and many of them fit in really well with the local landscape.

“Beautiful Country House” welcomes everyone! Do you think it’s possible to turn an old barn, which has been abandoned for a long time, not just into a living space, but into a home that you won’t want to leave and that you’re not ashamed to show off to your guests? Yes, this can happen. A selection of photographs will prove this to you.

The old barn does not at all give the impression of a cozy and glamorous family nest. But this is only at first glance. You will be surprised to know that miracles happen in life from time to time.

Look how amazingly stylish old cowsheds can become when they are turned into residential buildings by a professional designer. They are all unique and each of them has its own beautiful story. We have selected the most worthwhile ones. Enjoy!

Impressive project

We're going to start with this amazing house. The owner designed the premises as residential with the possibility of holding various events in it. The structure, which previously housed a utility room, now includes a workshop that doubles as a kitchen, an apartment with bunk beds and a bathroom.

The transformation took place using simple materials and ordinary colors. The result is an original house with its own unique twist.

Interior design for Josephine's family home

This glamorous family mansion was also formerly an old building used as an animal habitat. It is located in a wonderful picturesque place. Inside, its design and decor are simple but beautiful. The home has concrete floors and exposed wood beams adding character. A glass chandelier adds glamor and sophistication to the space. The result is an eclectic style image, where all its details are cozy, modern and harmoniously combined.

400 m2 became a magnificent home

Here is another beautiful family estate that hides an amazing secret. It was originally a barn, but over time it became moldy and aged in places. Now it is a beautiful and cozy family home with an area of ​​about 400 m2. To implement all the ideas of the project, it was slightly expanded. Now it will be difficult to find a more comfortable family home.

An old structure has been transformed into a modern and multifunctional living space

Located in Norfolk (UK), this building, originally a barn, has been converted to a designer's design. Many changes have been made to it. According to the plan, the building should have looked more open and airy than it was before.

To give the room some originality, some of the features inherent in the barn were retained. For example, wooden beams remained intact. Everything else was replaced with new ones. Polished concrete floors and plywood furniture interact beautifully and create a beautiful look in today's style.

Spectacular transformations in Quinta

In fact, this is a current model designed by Dutch architects. The main idea in choosing a building to convert it into a residence was to create a room that would organically fit into the surrounding local color. At the same time, it was necessary to create a modern living space. As you can see, the idea was a success and found its embodiment.

An abandoned barn turned into a family home

Located in the province of Caceres, this old barn was abandoned for a long time until it was discovered by the current owners. They turned to architectural firm Abaton for help transforming the barn into a family home.

The house ended up being unusual, with its own charm and rich history. The walls were made of stone, which gave it character. The exterior has been preserved almost in its original form, but the interior has been transformed into housing that has the features of our era. A beautiful estate where the whole family lives, surrounded by a magnificent natural landscape.

The barn has been converted into a modern structure with a swimming pool

This extraordinary accommodation has also been converted from a former barn. There is a strong contrast between the interior and exterior. The main reason that the appearance remained virtually unchanged was the desire of the architects to seamlessly integrate it into the surrounding terrain.

From the outside, the structure looks like a traditional agricultural building, but its interior is surprisingly modern and suitable for comfortable living. Two new wings were added to the structure, one of which housed a swimming pool.

An old barn turned into an eco-house

When you are thinking of turning an old building into a modern family mansion, you are taking a responsible step towards the surrounding nature and taking care of its safety. After all, you are actually trying to revive an old building and reuse it instead of building a new one.

This barn went even further and took care not only of the environment, but also of aesthetics. It has been transformed into a beautiful green estate with rustic charm. The house is located on Bainbridge Island in Washington. The architect created modern and environmentally friendly housing with its characteristic features.

Renovated former bank

This building previously housed a bank that stood in Leesburg (USA, Virginia), on the banks of the Potomac River. Its owners initially wanted to demolish the building, but after they were refused, they decided to renovate and reuse the structure. The barn still has great potential despite its advanced age.

Irreversible transformations of a 200-year-old structure

Another example of how outdated buildings can find new life after reconstruction. The two-hundred-year-old barn, located in Fonsdorf, Austria, was old and abandoned until the current owners decided to revive it. The architects managed to completely renovate it and turn it into a stunning living space.

Spectacular transformations

The last project we are going to present to you today is a truly amazing transformation of a building located in Zutphen (Netherlands). The barn became a family residence according to a project developed in 2004.

The architects created a new, expanded living space. It contains a large kitchen, office and guest area. The structure was not completely demolished and converted. Only some of its elements have been replaced with modern ones.

It was not limited to just one hut. This concept included the yard, which was necessarily fenced, and the barn. Today, unfortunately, not all of our contemporaries know what a barn is.

The key to prosperity

So, the meaning of the word barn and its definition. Barn translated from Persian means a cold warehouse. In Rus', it was a separate structure, which was located away from the hut, but always in full view of the household.

What does a barn mean? In those days they used to say that as full as the barn is, so full are the peasant’s pockets. And this was the absolute truth!

Wheat, barley, rye and oats - in general, the entire supply of grain for the year was placed in a barn for storage. What is a harvest for a peasant family? This is their life, their confidence in the future and hope for a well-fed life. That is why the barn was located at some distance from the hut.

If a fire suddenly happens, the family will lose their home, but the food will remain intact, which means that the fire victims will not be afraid of starvation.

For the same reason, a lock was hung on the barn. Inside there were bottoms, which were used to furnish the barn around the entire perimeter. It's simple, these are large boxes for storing cereals.

and purpose

A cellar was built under the barn. Perishable products were stored in it, as well as vegetables: carrots, potatoes, beets, radishes... The main thing was that the cellar and barn were above the spring flood level, otherwise they could not avoid flooding.

For the cellar, they first dug a deep pit. The deeper the hole was, the better the reserves were preserved in it. In winter, vegetables did not freeze in the cellar, and in summer, milk did not sour.

To prevent the earthen walls of the cellar from crumbling over time, they were lined with oak logs. Floors were also built from them - it is not for nothing that in Rus' oak was and is still considered the most reliable and strong material.

From the outside, the roof of the cellar was covered with dry earth. To gain access to its inner part, a hole was equipped, behind which steps hewn in the ground led into the belly of the vault. In anticipation of the onset of severe frosts, the hole into the cellar was additionally insulated with straw and hay.

The furnishings of the cellar were practically no different from what the barn looked like. All products were also stored in bottom boxes, which were placed along the walls.

On the peasant farmstead, in addition to the cellar, there were also sheds and a barn, a cattle shed, a moss garden, a bathhouse, an exit and a barn. What is moss? This is a barn, the cracks in which are sealed with moss. The richer the farmstead was, the greater the number of outbuildings located on it.

Peasant farmstead

The lion's share of structures was chopped down with an axe. The saw was used extremely rarely. In addition to buildings, the term peasant yard included such concepts as a vegetable garden, threshing floor, orchard and, of course, a large or small, but obligatory plot of land.

The most important buildings were built from oak logs. In addition to cellars, wells and mills were built from them. For everything else, alder, birch and aspen wood was used.

Peasant buildings did not have a foundation as such. The huts were additionally strengthened with supports, which were used as huge stone boulders or stumps.