Feature article
Modern Barn House Living in New Zealand
Explore modern barn house living in NZ—functional, cost-effective, beautifully designed for contemporary lifestyles.
26 June 2024
Interesting fact: when people are asked to draw a picture of what they perceive a barn to be, they inevitably draw the iconic American-style barn with its central gable shape flanked by two lean-to sides — you know the one, you’re thinking of it now.
There’s a reason why most of us are drawn to that particular style of barn, not only is it aesthetically pleasing, it also is highly functional, with wide-spanning interiors that offer a volumetric space second to none — which is why more and more of us are adapting this style for living.
Conceived as two perpendicular, yet interconnected, forms, this modern barn house designed by Space Studio sits proudly within the Cardrona Valley. Image: Simon Devitt
Why choose a barn-style house?
One of the major benefits to building a barn-style house is that thanks to the relatively simple design, it can be less complicated to build, making it, potentially, more cost effective — a big plus, given the cost of construction these days.
The simplicity of design also means this style of home is easily adaptable, allowing you to add on to the central barn volume to create a home suited to your current needs and with future proofing already built in.
Perhaps the most compelling benefit of the barn-style design, is the feeling of open spaciousness, which is an integral component of contemporary living. Add to the mix modern materials and you have a home that’s not only comfortable but is also highly energy efficient.
The raked ceiling in this barn house, with interiors designed by Space Studio, reaches 7m at its highest point, creating a voluminous entertaining space. Image: Simon Devitt
The modern black barn house
Barn-style houses are proving popular with Kiwi families because they can be made to fit any lifestyle. For those wanting to create a touch of the original, a barn-style house with black cladding, wooden floors and ceiling trusses could be the perfect addition to an idyllic rural or semi-rural site. New Zealand company, Heritage Timbercraft, uses traditional methods to create modern timber barns, and, for those with a taste for all things historical, they can even supply authentic 18th- and 19th-century American barn frames.
If you prefer your barn-style house to be a bit more 21st century in its construction, you can opt for steel framing coupled with a long-run steel exterior for a truly contemporary aesthetic. Teamed with polished concrete floors, stone bench tops, and high-end finishes, your barn-style home will easily take you into the next century.
From the ridge on which this house sits, views are immense and the nature is all encompassing. The barn-style house aligns with the rugged, rural landscape, and is orientated to the axis of the valley below. The gabled form creates a generous volume, a cathedral-like, elemental structure inverse to the surroundings. “The form captures and frames the views towards the South Island,” architect Mat Lee of Melling Architects explains. Image: Andy Spain
Barn house floor plans
Typically, the layout of a barn-style house includes an open floor plan with high ceilings — allowing for double-height living spaces — and the facility to add plenty of windows for abundant natural light. If you opt for a ‘lofted’ second floor, a more traditional building style will create a warm and cosy sanctuary-like space, without compromising the integrity of the barn style.
The interior of this barn-style house by Melling Architects offers an enticing openness. Above the kitchen, a mezzanine acts as a hybrid space, an office or additional bedroom for guests. Image: Andy Spain
Whichever style option you choose, traditional or contemporary, there is no doubt that your modern barn house will have all the hallmarks that Kiwis look for in today’s home — indoor-outdoor flow, ample amenity, ease of maintenance, durability, cost effective construction and, most importantly, warmth and a sense of ‘family’. Perhaps then, your next home is the one you think of when you hear the word, barn.
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