Big Barn by Faulkner Architects is a distinctive family retreat nestled in the rolling hills of Glen Ellen, California’s wine country, where agricultural heritage and modern design converge. Situated north of San Francisco, this project is inspired by the rural vernacular of the region and the owner’s desire for a weekend escape from urban life, evolving on the existing footprint of a 1950s ranch house into a contemporary interpretation of traditional barn typology.
Responding to both climate and landscape, Big Barn’s design is a simple, rectangular two-story form with an asymmetrical gabled roof that faces southwest to reduce heat gain. This deliberate orientation along with limited fenestration on the sun-exposed side enhances passive environmental performance while minimizing the building’s impact on its surroundings. The bold roofline and clean massing reference the agricultural buildings that characterize the area, anchoring the home in its context with clarity and purpose.
A continuous, building-sized assembly of steel sash glazing runs along the east side of the house, opening living spaces to expansive vistas of rolling oak-covered hills and inviting morning light into the interior. These large sliding doors seamlessly connect the kitchen and communal spaces to an outdoor terrace, deepening the relationship between interior and exterior and supporting a lifestyle that is both connected to nature and oriented toward retreat.
To preserve the natural topography, the form is strategically excavated into the hillside and cantilevered over the descending slope, minimizing grading and respecting the land’s inherent character. A steel-grated bridge links the upper sleeping level to the adjacent hillside and the nearby tack barn, creating a thoughtful spatial sequence that celebrates the site’s existing features rather than overwhelming them.
The material palette reinforces Big Barn’s narrative of simplicity and authenticity. Reclaimed redwood, corrugated Corten steel, and black steel sash windows give form to a restrained exterior, while California oak unifies floors, walls, and ceilings inside, imparting warmth and tactile richness. Radiant heated floors and enhanced insulation, combined with efficient mechanical systems, reduce energy use and contribute to a comfortable environment year-round.
Big Barn exemplifies Faulkner Architects’ commitment to creating architecture that is rooted in place, craft, and meaningful response to site, program, and climate. The project’s thoughtful integration of vernacular cues with contemporary spatial clarity results in a modern retreat that feels at once timeless and intimately connected to the Californian landscape.
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