Barndominium
This project is being profiled to show the variety of residential projects we take on. The prospective owner of a 3-acre parcel had the goal to build a “Barndominium basketball area” on a property they were contingent on. This design needed to include an upper floor apartment with access from the outside. In addition, the structure needed to contain a second-floor loft for “spectators” and a bathroom and kitchenette to increase the use of the loft for other events which needed to be accessed by an interior staircase. The facility needed two separate garage areas, one for the apartment and another which could double as a warehouse for a distribution entity run by the owners. And to top off the design, it must have a regulation size basketball court 50’ x 94’ with no less than a 3’ apron around the court.
The owners provided some inspirational photos for exterior finishes and started with a very linear building footprint. Upon getting word from a civil engineer and septic consultant, the initial design quickly transitioned to an “L” shaped footprint. Fortunately, due to the automation tools we use, we were able to take the initial space planning and move things into the correct configuration to make the structure work with the property limitations. In addition, the owners requested that a full topo survey completed by the civil firm be underlaid to the building envelope and that they be allowed to see a house staking on the property using exact dimensions from the design and coordinates from the civil engineer.
All requests satisfied, the final design checked all the owner’s boxes and they expressed that they “love it.” We also loved the challenge of producing a conceptual design that the owners can now take to a builder to dial in structural elements of the build as well as build budget and get on to working drawings with a structural engineer.
Challenges for this project included checking local build codes for residential structures surrounding height restrictions and size of living spaces attached to pseudo commercial space. In addition, research needed to be done on dimension requirements for basketball courts and clearance, but also on vertical garage door lifts for the full glass panel doors that will surround the basketball playing surface.
From the renderings one can see that the design could have ended up looking like not much more than a warehouse structure but with the use of Dutch gable roofs, gable end wood brackets and a fabulous wrap around upper deck accessible by both the loft viewing area and the apartment, the building is both aesthetic and functional.
Location
Davidson Twp, NC
Status
As we were hired to complete all work prior to a contingent offer on 3.15-acre property expired, we completed the work quickly and delivered the Conceptual Design Portfolio off to the owners who were looking to take the package to multiple commercial builders to dial in the build timeline and process. We will update this when we know the build timeline…
Size
10,125 sq ft heated with 13,000 under roof. Finished apartment on second level 1,800.
Special features
Full size NBA regulation basketball court, storage for gym equipment with double doors to the gym. Foyer access to the arena with ADA bathroom and janitor closet. Fully finished warehouse facility with garage door access and separate entrance from that of the gym, but access to a bathroom located off foyer. 2 car garage with covered access to stairs leading to upper apartment. Second floor including separate finished areas above foyer and apartment with shared access to the fully covered upper deck. Barn architecture including the use of Dutch gable roofs and 1’ eaves to accentuate the roof lines. Full glass paneled garage doors in the arena area to provide for ease of access and allow for fresh air to quickly fill the arena. Oversized fans and mechanical capacity spec’d in conceptual design.