Equestrian Architecture
Horses need houses too. I have done work both for an established equestrian architecture firm as well as on my own.
Details make these buildings
Something as small as a cupola is important because in the design of a stable it creates an undeniable spirit of honor for the horses and elegance for the farm. Here are two sheets of a design study that I did for a stable in Wisconsin while working under Architect Michael Hall at Blackburn Architects
In Context
This sheet shows one of the cupola concepts in context of the larger stable.
Each element on the stable needs to fit with each other while also creating a visual hierarchy.
Simple
I think the humblest building for a horse is the loafing shed. I designed and built this shed for two horses with the goal of coming close in price to a pre-built loafing shed while making a structure that is pleasant to look at.
I added eaves to the shed and accentuated the rafters to give it some visual grace as well as to provide more weather protection to the walls. In the world of pole barns and loafing shed, most roofs terminate a the walls due to the common assembly style of metal roofing and siding.
Pole Barn Construction
The bottom half of the interior is covered in 3/4” plywood to protect both the structure and the horses from hazard. The floor was later built up with gravel and the roof was covered with steel panels.
The project included my installing 3 frost-free bibs for two pastures as well as wood post and rail fencing and electrical fencing (rope and photovoltaic transformer) as well.
Restoration
While working for Blackburn Architects, I was part of a team that brought together information on the existing context of a historic stable, the Folger Stables in Woodside California, for a feasibility and master plan study prepared for the Folger Estate Stable Committee.
A beaux-arts building built in the early 20th century, for the Folger coffee family, the stable consists of a 7600 sq. ft. first floor and a 5400 sq. ft. second floor.
Our work covered as-builts, initial investigations into the programming and initial structural analysis.
Artfulness
There is something great about a horse stable that incorporates elegant details. This balcony on the Folger Stable was just one of the many details that made this a great building and fun to work on.
Personally it also gave me an opportunity to leverage both my sub-structural/construction experience and experience renovating Victorians in San Francisco.