Houzz Tour: Family Matters in a Barn-Turned-Guesthouse
Kids and grandkids always have a place to stay (and play) in this ecofriendly guesthouse in the California hills
Recycled oak timbers, corrugated galvanized steel panels and a 100-year-old oak frame help this new barn stay true to the style of the surrounding ranch property. Set in the Santa Ynez hills of California — near the onetime homes of Michael Jackson and Ronald Reagan — this barn is a playful, sustainable guesthouse for the client's visiting children and grandchildren. Architect Robert Carver and his team built the structure to take full advantage of its spaciousness, while ecofriendly considerations keep its carbon footprint light.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A single client with 2 dogs, 4 daughters and several grandchildren
Location: Santa Ynez, California
Size: Upper level is 1,000 square feet, lower level is 1,600 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette
Photography by Claudio Santini
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: A single client with 2 dogs, 4 daughters and several grandchildren
Location: Santa Ynez, California
Size: Upper level is 1,000 square feet, lower level is 1,600 square feet; 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchenette
Photography by Claudio Santini
Solar hot water panels on the roof provide domestic water as well as heat the in-floor heating system. Carver and his team oriented the sloped roof to the south so the solar panels could receive maximum light.
The kitchen, dining room, living room and master suite of this residential unit sit on a loft level, while kids' rooms and a large play area make up the lower level.
Carver integrated passive cooling into the house as well. While there's a fan for the entire structure, a cupola and the large barn doors allow for ample ventilation, eliminating the need for an air conditioner.
Few raw or virgin materials were used throughout the structure; materials used include the 100-year-old timber frame and reclaimed wood floors. The concrete foundation, retaining walls and finish slab contain fly ash.
The barn's structure needed to be adapted for residential purposes. The first-floor ceiling was raised. Four-foot-tall steel columns sit under each timber post for support.
The wood cabinetry was sustainably harvested, and the finish is formaldehyde free. All the wood finishes have low or zero VOCs. All the appliances are Energy Star certified.
The wood cabinetry was sustainably harvested, and the finish is formaldehyde free. All the wood finishes have low or zero VOCs. All the appliances are Energy Star certified.
Even a set of kitchen drawers makes use of old materials. Carver and his team used old produce boxes to create a custom storage unit.
Translucent fiberglass Kalwall panels on the exterior add a soft glow to the interior during the day. "The quality of the daylight is heavenly," says Carver. Interior lighting at night showcases the timber barn structure as a sophisticated and subtle surprise.
The huge barn doors roll open on massive tracks, revealing the historic interior framing. The corrugated steel siding and roof also have recycled materials.
Originally, Carver wanted to situate the guesthouse closer to the main home, but according to county regulations, its location on a ridge would make it inaccessible to fire trucks. So he nestled the home into the bottom of the site's hill, closer to the road.
Natural stone floors and corrugated metal walls add to the industrial vibe in the bathrooms. All the bathroom sinks are made of recycled water buckets. Each toilet has a dual-flush mechanism to cut down on water use.
The kids' rooms on the lower level are tucked behind stable doors, adding to the barn's authentic style.
Normally, Carver would have set the house parallel to the hillside, but the team reoriented it 90 degrees to maximize passive and solar access.
The surrounding hillside was planted with all-native landscaping; it's watered with drip irrigation from collected rainwater.
The surrounding hillside was planted with all-native landscaping; it's watered with drip irrigation from collected rainwater.