Jim & Rebecca came to us with a dream for a timber frame barn that would be a centerpiece to their hilltop property in Castle Rock, CO. What a spot to call home! Our timber frame team arrived from Oregon to spend three weeks on-site raising the frame and enclosing the barn – all while soaking in the scenery.
Over the next few weeks, the team learned that Jim had fallen in love with timber frames in Ohio and made it a goal to call one his own. That’s our kinda’ goal; our thanks to Jim & Rebecca for enlisting us to build this 80′ by 32′ rough sawn Douglas fir timber frame barn.
The barn doesn’t use any true trusses, but has plenty of traditional mortise and tenon joinery crafted in our McMinnville, OR shop by Darren, Mike, Jimmy, Todd, and David. A clerestory brings light into the structure while a ‘tower’ adds dynamic space.
Dynamic = dramatic, right? With regular wind gusting upwards of 120 mph on the hilltop, the team tells us (with their usual aplomb) there were a few interesting days. We can only imagine that flying structural insulated panels (SIPs) to enclose the frame while the wind whipped was quite a challenge. Extra straps, extra patience, and extra vigilance were certainly required. The SIP walls are 6.5″ achieving an R value near R28 while the 10 1/4″ roof SIPs achieve R42. Overall the enclosure is rated to handle those +120 mph winds.
On a free weekend, Mike, Darren, Todd, and Jimmy visited past clients in Estes Park, CO.
We know it can be hard to turn these congenial guys away, and John & Cindy went beyond to welcome them. They were even treated to a tour of the home and the entertainment of local wildlife.
Back at Jim & Rebecca’s the team finished the enclosure, complete with gable walls that extend higher than the roof, and give the barn a distinct look. The barn will function as part garage, part housing, with a full in-law suite on the upper level.
We’re looking forward to visiting Jim & Rebecca in 2017 and we’ll be sure to grab some images of the completed barn. We’d also like to note that the design for the barn was done by Kathy Eichelberger Jones, AIA of ArchStyle, Inc.
