Old Canyon Barn Converted Into A Modern Retreat Using Salvaged Materials

Old barns are very charming. They have history and they showcase a very beautiful rustic style which is worth preserving to some degree which can inspire a lot of unique projects. One was the restoration and transformation of a barn located in East Cascades, in a beautiful canyon area surrounded by foothills.

The new glazed wall sections open up the barn to its surroundings and let in lots of light
The new glazed wall sections open up the barn to its surroundings and let in lots of light

Because it was such a beautiful and charming structure to begin with, studio mwworks didn’t want to change it too much so they tried to preserve it as much as possible. At the same time, they wanted to give it a more modern aesthetic, especially on the inside. The ultimate goal was to convert this old barn into a nice retreat for its owners, a place where they can get away from the city and relax and enjoy a simpler life, closer to nature.

All the surrounding areas were preserved as much as possible, maintaining a natural and organic look
All the surrounding areas were preserved as much as possible, maintaining a natural and organic look
The barn's remote location makes it a perfect retreat, away from any distractions
The barn’s remote location makes it a perfect retreat, away from any distractions

The barn thus became a three-bedroom retreat. In order to give a more open feel and to bring more natural light inside, the architects created a large glazed section which goes from the floor all the way up to the roof. It runs through the center of the facade and it’s framed by wood-paneled walls on either side with the pitched roof sheltering it from above. Apart from this major update, a lot of the interventions focus on using lots of salvaged materials. This helps to maintain a rustic and weathered look throughout the barn. The sliding barn doors were of course incorporated into the design along with a variety of other notable features. They all come together to give this barn a very beautiful and eclectic look.

The wooden porch ensures a gradual transition between the indoor and outdoor areas
The wooden porch ensures a gradual transition between the indoor and outdoor areas
The designers maintained as much of the original structure as possible
The designers maintained as much of the original structure as possible
The transformation of the barn is aimed at infusing the old structure with modern features without altering it too much
The transformation of the barn is aimed at infusing the old structure with modern features without altering it too much
The majority of the materials and even a lot of the fixtures were salvaged and locally-sourced
The majority of the materials and even a lot of the fixtures were salvaged and locally-sourced
All the new additions are in sync with the barn's history and original design and structure
All the new additions are in sync with the barn’s history and original design and structure