2000 AIABaltimore/BALTIMORE Magazine Residential Design Award:
Naylor Barn

Project: Naylor Barn--Live Lightly on the Land Baltimore, MD Cassandra Naylor, Owner Cho Benn Holback + Associates This environmentally-conscious renovation creates a balanced system through its forms, materials, and new technologies. Simple and austere, it evokes the farm vernacular.

Architect: Cho Benn Holback + Associates 200 North Charles Street Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 576-0440 Design Team Members: Principal: George Holback Architectural Team: Andrea Rhinehart, Eric White Associated Architect or Architectural Consultant: N/A Owner: Cassandra Naylor Engineering Consultants Structural: Mincin Patel Milano Mechanical/Electrical: Perry Engineering Landscape Architect: N/A General Contractor or Construction Manager: Vail Construction Photographer: Erik Kvalsvik, George Holback Completion Date: Fall 1999 Building Type: Renovation Specific Uses of Building: Residential Dwelling and Studio Project Requirements: Renovate an existing barn that uses little energy and sustainable materials. Program: Renovate an existing barn into a residential studio use. Technical Information: Reconstruction of roof and exterior framing members. Energy Considerations: Active solar, passive solar, photovoltaic electric generation. Barrier Free Design: At grade access. Environmental Sensitivity: Sustainable Materials-- recycled paper building insulation, composite wood and cement siding, recycled aggregate concrete, metal roof with maximum recycled content, recycled paper product countertops, recycled tile flooring. Building Systems-- Alternative energy services, composting toilets, grey water irrigation, rain water collection. Vision: Salvage an historic barn and rebuild it into a new studio residence while incorporating green and sustainable design principals and alternative energy sources. Existing Shell: The two story board and batten wood barn structure required extensive structural repairs as well as totally new cladding. The roof structure was completely reconstructed due to relocation of collar beams which caused a bulging of the exterior walls. Most of the ground contact structure and numerous beams had to be rebuilt or replaced due to water damage. The major components of the doors and stalls were salvaged and reused. A new stone stair was added to replace the old log ramp. Salvaged field stone and demolition material as well as locally quarried stone were used. Sustainable Materials: The new exterior board and batten siding is an environmentally friendly composite of cement and wood. The walls were super insulated with cellulose, a chopped recycled paper product, which blanketed the irregular framing. The asphalt shingle roof was replaced with a high content recycled steel standing seam roof. The new energy efficient wood replacement windows and doors were all custom made to match the existing sight lines. Environmental Systems: The goal was to fashion all of the environmental building systems into as many renewable sources as possible. A new thermal mass floor with hot water coil radiant heating was installed to heat the space as well as absorb passive solar gains. Photovoltaic cells generate electricity and a bank of batteries store power for daily use. Limited power is used and any excess is credited back to the utility grid. Waste & Water: The desire was to create a full ecosystem that was beneficial to the environment. In place of conventional plumbing a dry composting toilet and a separate gray water system were used. The composted material from the toilet is used as a fertilizer when combined with the composted material from the few livestock kept in the side barn stalls. The grey water from sinks and tubs runs into the flower gardens that surround the site. Rainwater is collected and used for garden irrigation. The owner is involved with continued permaculture concepts throughout the farm property. Cost: Withheld per owner's request

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