Apartment barns are inherently efficient structures, with multi-use layouts that allow you to combine your hobbies and home all under one roof. With this custom apartment barn design in Cornelius, Oregon, we were not only able to merge our client’s passions into one structure, but also create a home centered around sustainability. Energy-efficient upgrades such as skylights, solar panels, and an electric car charging station help our client reduce their property’s overall carbon footprint, while the structure’s multi-purpose design makes productive use of every square inch. With two horse stalls, two dog kennels, and all the necessary equestrian amenities on the ground floor, these clients get to keep their favorite four-legged family members close at all times. Upstairs, a 1,800 sq. ft. apartment with a guest room, bathroom, office, living room, kitchen, and balcony offer all the comforts of any traditional home and then some.
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Sandy Custom Home
Situated on the banks of the Sandy River in Sandy, Oregon, this 3,240 sq. ft. traditional Pacific Northwest home features a family-friendly design that includes three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, an 856 sq. ft. three-car garage, and a bonus room crafted for kids. The open concept living area dominates the main level, with a large great room with a gas fireplace, a modern kitchen, and a breakfast nook adjacent to a large covered patio providing plenty of space for entertainment and relaxation. The main level also includes a powder room, mudroom, laundry room, and a huge master suite with his and hers closets and a luxurious master bathroom. Upstairs, you’ll find two bedrooms and a full bathroom with his and hers sinks, a 248 sq. ft. bonus room, and a large storage area.
Fall City Workshop
This monitor-style workshop in Fall City, Washington originated as a Powell Monitor Barn Kit from DC Structures and underwent major engineering upgrades to achieve its highly customized design. These upgrades include widening the structure from 36′ to 46′, incorporating a heavy timber framed center aisle loft, and performing double-wall construction for all exterior walls. As the site of our client’s manufacturing business, we were tasked with crafting a barn design centered around efficiency. To maximize operations, we designed the raised center aisle in a way that allows our client and their team to lift products and materials from the bottom level to the top with ease. Even with its heavy-duty upgrades, this barn maintains its rustic charm, with Douglas fir and cedar siding that gives it that classic barn appearance. Inside, heavy timber accents provide unparalleled warmth throughout the space.
West Linn Riding Arena
After helping them build their dream barn with an upstairs loft at the iconic Last Chance Ranch, Brian Sonnenberg and his wife didn’t take long to start dreaming of another project to add to their property. This time around, they decided they wanted a covered riding arena designed for year-round riding and knew exactly who to partner with to get the job done right. With a custom design that prioritizes the comfort of riders, horses, and viewers, this all-weather arena succeeds in making riding enjoyable in any season. This design boasts an enclosed viewing room with top-of-the-line infrared heaters for extra warmth in the winter months. To maximize natural lighting and ventilation, we added three cupolas with windows and two skylights to the roof. Learn more about what Brian had to say about his experience with DC Builders and why he chose to partner with us a second time around!
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Whitewashed Horse Barn
This gable-style barn in Fall City, Washington is a great example of what you can accomplish with a custom barn design from DC Builders. Crafted to serve a number of purposes, this custom wood structure functions as a horse barn, a place to hang out with friends and family, and even a wedding and event venue! The main level includes six horse stalls, a wash bay, a tack room, and an enclosed shed roof with room for added storage, while the upstairs features a custom bar and lounge area perfect for kicking back and relaxing. Clad with cedar board and batten siding that was painted white to match the owner’s home, this heavy timber barn successfully blends traditional style with modern amenities to achieve its distinctive design.
The Barrel House
Originally designed for the 2016 NW Natural Street of Dreams, this all-wood winery in West Linn, Oregon now serves as a beautiful tasting room for the Tumwater Vineyard. At over 3,500 square feet, the Barrel House Winery offers plenty of room for meetings, special events, and wine tasting with friends and family. The interior features a number of show-stopping details, including handcrafted timber frame trusses, a tall two-sided stone fireplace, and garage-style glass doors that add a distinctly modern touch. Western red cedar siding and custom stone finishes contribute to the exterior’s rustic appeal, along with a custom pergola we designed for the outdoor sitting area. Learn more about this project at www.barrelhousepdx.com.
VIRTUAL TOUR
Last Chance Ranch
One of the best parts of our job is getting to be a part of making our clients’ dreams come true; and with this timber frame barn in West Linn, Oregon, we were able to give our client Brian Sonnenberg and his wife something he describes as a true reflection of who they are. Framed with canyon gold lumber and finished with cedar board and batten siding and 4” thick Columbia basalt wainscoting, this exquisite horse barn with living quarters features an iconic design that perfectly complements the surrounding Last Chance Ranch property. Portland Millwork supplied the entry doors and Classic Equine designed the stall fronts, partitions, and Dutch doors. On the main level, you’ll find four horse stalls finished with Brazilian hardwood and equipped with Nelson waterers and ComfortStall flooring for added comfort and safety, in addition to a 12’ x 18’ tack room. Upstairs, an entertainment loft with bunk beds offers a cozy space for our clients and guests to enjoy, with a custom cupola overhead providing optimal ventilation and natural lighting.
VIRTUAL TOUR
Damascus Party Barn
Located in the countryside of Damascus, Oregon, this backyard barn-style structure serves as both a mini getaway and a place for our clients to entertain family and friends. Our clients started with an Oakridge apartment barn kit from DC Structures before they decided they wanted something a bit more custom. This resulted in our in-house design team collaborating with them to create a highly personalized design for their party barn. Custom features in this structure include open riser timber frame stairs, steel-framed sliding doors with glass inserts, and a 12’ x 12’ deck with cedar railings. Inside, our clients can enjoy a completely custom all-wood bar, man and lady cave area, workshop, mudroom, and plenty of storage space.
Custom Winery
This beautiful wood winery in Benton City, Washington presented a unique challenge for our team due to the regulations and requirements associated with building a winery. From the tasting room to the complex multi-level HVAC system, everything had to be customized to meet industry standards and achieve the look and feel our client and renowned sommelier Chris Upchurch desired. Not only were we able to design a structure that checked every box, but one that gives Chris the opportunity to share his talents in a winery all his own. The exterior is clad with cedar board and batten siding and features a 12′ x 40′ deck with galvanized railing for relaxing and taking in the vineyard views. Inside, the facility includes a wine cellar with a platform lift that transports barrels from the cellar to the ground floor, along with a stunning glass-enclosed tasting room that speaks to the winery’s distinctive design.
Sandy, Oregon
Located on a scenic property in Sandy, Oregon, this custom timber frame apartment barn was designed to perfectly suit our client’s lifestyle needs. The ground floor doubles as a storage and workspace, with large 12′ x 14′ swinging garage doors to accommodate an RV. Upstairs, a sweeping living area with high ceilings and optimal natural lighting makes for a comfortable space to kick back and relax. Adding to the apartment barn’s uniqueness are a number of finishes that were sourced from local artisans. A log spiral staircase with rod iron handrails takes you to the upstairs loft, where French doors lead to a large covered deck and a wet bar. Two Nantucket shed dormers and a custom cupola gives the exterior its distinct barn-style appearance, while copper wainscoting accentuates the fine cedar batten and board siding.
