The Barn
West Sacramento, CA
- Award Year
- 2017
- Award Category
- Commercial Wood Design – Low-Rise
- Architect
- !melk
- Contractor
- Brown Construction Incorporated
- Structural Engineer
- Magnusson Klemencic Associates
- Photos
- Chad Davies and !melk
Situated in the Northern California agricultural zone, the sculptural form of The Barn is inspired by a sprouting vegetable seed. The concept is facilitated by a contemporary interpretation of traditional barn building components with the aid of parametric design. Part of a new, 178-acre neighborhood called The Bridge District, The Barn is a 9,100-sf, Type IV multi-use structure designed to house a restaurant and other commercial tenant. Structurally, the building appears to defy gravity. Programmically, the project is comprised of a superstructure connected to the ground by two enclosed pods, an open air canopy, and a larger landscape that connects to a river walk and new development. As a double cantilever, the superstructure springs upward from the pods, meeting at a dramatic apex that forms the canopy. The beams and trusses are made from glulam while intermittent steel reinforcements join the trusses into beautifully expressed trestles. The shell of the structure is achieved with dimension lumber, laid side-by-side in a singular direction to create straight line-generated curves on which the roof shingles were applied. Estimated construction cost: $210/sf