Barn Gallery, designed by INCLINEDESIGN and completed in 2018, transforms an existing 1970s house into a 1,600-square-meter contemporary residence through adaptive reuse, reclaimed materials, and energy-efficient systems. The project retains the original footprint while incorporating salvaged timber, rainwater collection, drought-tolerant landscaping, SIP construction, heat-recovery ventilation, and a highly efficient mechanical system. Inside, polished concrete, whitewashed reclaimed wood, raw steel, and carefully integrated technology create a practical yet distinctive interior, demonstrating how an existing structure can be reimagined through sustainable construction and thoughtful architectural detailing.
Architects: INCLINEDESIGN Area: 1600 m² Year: 2018 Photographs: Steve Horn Location: United States
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Barn Gallery is a 1,600 square meter sustainable residence in the US designed by Incline Design. Completed in 2018, the project transformed a 1970s house into a contemporary home through adaptive reuse, reclaimed materials, and high-efficiency construction systems, seamlessly integrating environmental sustainability into the architectural fabric.
Barn Gallery is a 1,600 square meter residence in the United States,
designed by Incline Design and completed in 2018.
The project began with an existing 1970s house,
which was deconstructed while keeping its original footprint.
Limited resources, the island setting, and strict design requirements shaped the transformation,
combining elements of the original structure with contemporary construction and technology.
Material reuse became an important part of the design.
Salvaged floor joists from the original house were re-sawn into exterior siding,
while additional boards came from an old movie prop warehouse.
Inside, the original siding was sandblasted and whitewashed before being reused throughout
the interiors. This approach creates a layered material palette that connects
the new house to its previous life. Water management is also integrated
into the architecture. A rainwater tank and filtration system sit prominently near the
entrance, turning a functional system into part of the home's visual character.
Runoff from the sloping site is collected through a rain garden,
which also receives overflow from the tank.
Around the house, drought-tolerant planning extends this environmental strategy into the
landscape. Inside, durable finishes are combined with integrated technology.
Recessed LED lighting connects to a centralized driver panel and Crestron control system,
while polished concrete floors and Tuscan troweled walls create a simple, robust interior palette.
The kitchen features modified IKEA cabinetry with red panels and European-sized appliances,
while a raw steel fireplace and media cabinet add an industrial touch.
The construction system was designed for both speed and efficiency.
Structural insulated panels, or SIPs, allowed the building envelope to be assembled in five days
and enclosed within two weeks. The electrical and mechanical systems were coordinated around
this method, while a Zehnder 200 heat recovery ventilation system provides fresh air with a
certified 92 percent efficiency from the Passive House Institute. Barn Gallery brings adaptive
reuse, reclaimed materials, water collection, efficient construction, and environmental
systems into one cohesive residence. The building achieved 1.02 ACH50, reflecting its tight envelope,
while a Sandan heat pump water heater uses outdoor air to provide hot water for both
radiant floors and domestic use. Here, sustainability is integrated directly
into the architecture, rather than treated as a separate feature.
