Adaptive Reuse Architecture: Mathews Horse Barn Gets New Life

Adaptive reuse architecture - or building reuse - is the process of repairing or restoring an existing building for new or continued use.  The idea of adaptive reuse is not a new idea; we're always renovating, repairing, restoring. The decision as to whether a building should become a part of the adaptive reuse architecture trend is based on several factors - location, market trends, architectural features, heritage, or a combination of these factors.  But the final determination is sometimes an emotional one. Do we want to preserve our heritage? Do we want to remember the positive aspects of the past and pass them on to our children and grandchildren?

 

Not long ago, Lan Brandon made the decision to save a historic landmark in West Fork and turn it into something new. Mathews Horse Barn was no longer going to function in its original use, so proposing a new function was necessary to preserve its history. 

 

The first step was to acquire and assess the building.  The next step was to determine what would be reused and replaced, from the foundation to the walls and windows and doors to the roof. The idea was to reuse every element that could be reused to maintain the building's historic materials and features.  

The ceilings on the porch are reclaimed red oak and white oak.  The roofing is original. 

One outside wall is rock that was uncovered when the siding was removed. “We had to take down probably sixty percent of the rock and rebuild it,” Brandon said. “The rest we could just re-mortar.” Brandon added that the crew tried to use most of the rock that came off the building and supplement with rocks they found on the property or at other West Fork job sites or with rock from “my little farm” on Tony Mountain. 

Inside, the 2300 square foot space is divided into two rooms with a large restroom tucked away in one corner.  The room we entered through the double-glass doors has four support beams; the front room is completely open. The rustic elements are there, but the overall feel is modern and airy.  The ceilings are vaulted and the walls are sheet-rocked with an interesting mixed-oak wainscoting. There are ceiling fans and recessed lighting throughout.

 “All the wood on the project is oak of some sort,” Brandon said.   

The inside was surprisingly cool on a particularly hot day. According to a SWEPCO website, on average, thirty percent of the energy consumed by a typical large building is wasted.  In order to change that direction, with the help of Kent Tomlinson, Brandon incorporated energy-saving upgrades at every opportunity: r38 insulation, low e windows, led lighting and a high efficiency heat pumps.

There is a surprise upstairs. At the back of the building there is a 1300 square foot two-bedroom, one bath apartment with a deck. 

There is an open concept living room, dining and kitchen area with an island, modern appliances, and plenty of cabinets.  Brent Burgess milled the lumber and built all the fine cabinets.

      

The bedrooms are roomy with ceiling fans and ample closet space - one of them a walk-in. 

The bath is centrally located with a fully-tiled walk-in shower.

Every room is bright and modern.           

Adaptive reuse architecture is not a do-it-yourself venture.  Teams of professionals – contractors, designers, and laborers – are essential for every facet of the project. Damon Meadors is the contractor on the job.  He talked about the history of the building, remembering buying corn from Neil Mathews and adding with a laugh that for every bag he bought for himself he loaded 20 more for other customers at Mr. Mathews' "request." Meadors and Brandon were both quick to emphasize the skill and expertise of Charlie Copley and Damen ​​Casteel who were working on the project on one of the days Charlie and I were there.  Copley is  an artist at finish carpentry, and Casteel described himself as a “jack of all trades” but talked modestly about skills and experience he has that would elevate that term to a new level. Their draftsman was Keith Warford of Keith Warford Design LLC. Both Meadors and Brandon complemented the work of their designer Sarah Savage Jaynes of Inside Out Designs NWA.  According to Meadors, Jaynes suggested details that kept the design from being too dark and masculine.  He said that she suggested elements that would retain the rustic feel but would add light and warmth. Brandon added simply, “She has good taste.”   

Horseshoes are embedded in the concrete at the old Mathews Horse Barn. Horseshoes have long been considered lucky. Two placed side by side give an added measure of protection and good fortune. It's lucky for the old building that someone saw potential there; it's lucky for West Fork that we get to witness the revitalization of the building and then enjoy the improvement along that stretch of Centennial; it's lucky for the new occupants - whoever that happens to be; and it's lucky for our kids and grandkids that they will hear about the building and the history of a business that sold feed and seed and about the blacksmith who made that business prosper.  

If you can visualize living here and setting up your business in this modern version of a West Fork landmark, contact Blue Dog Realty and Property Management. 

https://www.bluedogrealtynwa.com/

 

 

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