• 2007 Barn of the Year Recipient •

2007 Adaptive Family Use
Jon Stryker
Kalamazoo

Receiving the award for "Adaptive Family Use" is a gathering barn on Angling Road, Kalamazoo, which once made its home in Fremont, Michigan. It is owned by Jon Stryker whose intended use for the 1881 three-bay English barn was to continue as a working outbuilding. But as the beauty of the hand-hewn white pine timbers, bracing elements, and overall wood structure became apparent, the decision was made to make the barn a gathering place for his family and private foundation.

A hayloft was reconstructed; new siding was installed over the original to keep the interior look authentic while protecting the exterior. The original sliding doors were rebuilt and a reconstructed roof was covered with standing seam Galvalum metal.

In the barn's new life as a gathering place, pendant lights have been hung and the pine flooring has been given an oil finish. Exterior siding was treated with an historic iron oxide stain. The final result is a warm and inviting gathering place.