Designing a legacy: the architect behind Barnone

Barnone is more than a place for local craftsmen and women to showcase their work. To fully understand what Barnone is, it is important to remember its humble beginnings. It was a Quonset hut where grain was stored, tractors were kept and where the Johnstons played basketball after a long day on the farm. Barnone was built for the original makers on the farm.

 

So, how does a 1950s barn transform into a community housing 12 ambitious makers, each practicing his or her own distinct craft?

 

When reimagining the Quonset hut, Jack Debartolo, the architect behind Barnone, wanted to keep the integrity and quality of the structure. Debartolo Architects prides itself on being able to read a building and keep the original character and nature of the structure.

 

With Barnone, they did just that. Imagine a body. Then replace the skeleton, building it sturdy and strong. That’s what Jack did. It looks the same, but the inside has been transformed into a multipurpose haven for tradesmen and women.

 

Original columns and beams were preserved to define what the Quonset hut was. The addition of two pre-engineered buildings that closely resemble the original 1950s design gives even more space for the makers to do what they love.

 

One of Debartolo’s challenges was longevity. The structure needed to address current needs, but also anticipate what future tenants would want. Function over style is how each space was designed, uniquely crafted for each maker’s business needs.

 

In Fire and Brimstone, for example, charred wood was incorporated into the design to reflect the wood-fired grill central to the restaurant. The walls in Johnston Arms, a custom firearms shop, are plated with hot rolled steel – the same material gun barrels were made from. Each space reflects the maker inside, and every material selected was carefully chosen for its functionality and personality.

 

Jack designed a space to give makers an environment that is unique and personal.

By guest writer

Sidney Pearce