Tag Archives: apartment barns

Eco Tips: Sustainable Barn Design

DC Structures values good stewardship of the environment and earth’s natural resources. This principle is echoed through our space-efficient designs and our use of responsibly sourced products, such as premium heavy timbers from the Pacific Northwest. Our appreciation for nature and our focus on efficiency inform much of our approach to building design.

When you enter the design process with DC Structures, we begin by asking about your priorities. Beyond the usual need for more space, many people refer to energy efficiency and sustainability as important considerations in their overall building objectives. DC Structures has several eco-friendly barn designs, as well as additional options and upgrades to make any barn kit greener.

Take a look at this highly modified Oakridge apartment barn in Cornelius, Oregon, which boasts a number of sustainable upgrades. The building’s eco-friendly design—which includes solar panels, skylights, natural ventilation and an electric car charging station—has a big impact on this property’s energy expenditures. Here are a few things you might want to keep in mind when designing a sustainable barn of your own:

Start With Smart Design

When designing a barn, it’s easy to get carried away by what you want rather than what you need. But more space means more energy that’s needed for heat and light, which in turn makes for higher costs and more wasted resources. Instead of building a larger structure, consider what it is you need at the moment and design an efficient space for that purpose. If you think your needs could change down the road, choose a design that can be modified when the time comes.

Let Your Building Breathe

Like all livestock, horses carry with them a lot of dirt and dust. Between the bedding in their stalls and the hay they eat, particles of debris floating around in the stable can make it difficult to breathe. That’s why it’s important to have proper ventilation systems to protect both yourself and your horses. Installing a basic industrial ventilation system is an easy solution, but will also increase your energy costs to various degrees depending on the size of the space. Instead, consider adding natural ventilation options like extra windows or custom cupolas into your design for a more efficient building.   

Don’t Waste That Waste!

Besides dust, horses also produce a whole lot of natural waste. If you have several horses, all that manure will start to add up real fast—and figuring out what to do with it can be a stinky problem to work through. One solution is to compost the waste and repurpose it for use across your property. Our partner company, DC Builders, has a number of compost systems to show for in its portfolio, including these in Oregon City and West Linn. It’s a cost-effective and sustainable way to handle horse waste.

Whether you’re looking to build a new barn, or just some tips for your existing structures, trying to create a more eco-friendly property is a noble effort. Not only is it better for your land, your buildings, for you, your horses, and the environment, it also stands to save you a lot of money. Start planning your next sustainable barn project today, with a free digital catalog today.

Project Preview: Lake Elsinor Apartment Barn

apartment barn

Nationwide barn kit company DC Structures has apartment barn projects under construction all over the country. We guarantee our clients builder support throughout the duration of their build, but we also keep in touch simply because we enjoy watching their plans take shape.

Building relationships with the people who buy our apartment barn kits is a cornerstone of our business model. If you’re looking for a company to sell you a pre-engineered materials package and never contact you again, DC Structures probably isn’t the kit company for you.

Learn more about our process here!

Lake Elsinor Apartment Barn

Southeast of Los Angeles, California is a large freshwater lake known as Elsinor. While L.A. calls to mind scenes of bumper-to-bumper traffic and smog-saddled skies, Lake Elsinor and the town that shares its name offers a departure from city life that is pleasantly serene.

Coming soon to Lake Elsinor’s scenic landscape is one of DC Structures’ most popular designs: an Oakridge 60’ apartment barn.

This hybrid barn home features all the necessary equestrian amenities on the ground floor—including one horse stall, feed and tack rooms, as well as a laundry room, office and half bath. Upstairs sits a large three-bedroom, two-bathroom home, replete with an additional office.

Take a look at this project in the photos below!

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Thinking about an apartment barn for your own property? Request a digital catalog and start laying the groundwork today!

Video: Cornelius Apartment Barn Testimonial

apartment barn

For the team at DC Structures, building relationships is just as important as helping customers build their dream barn or barn-style home. We take pride in the quality of our product and service offerings, making client connections a priority both during and after completion of their projects.

One of the many benefits of maintaining an open and honest line of communication with our customers is that they are happy to share their thoughts about what it’s like to work with DC Structures. We can sing our own praises for days, but we know the most valuable insights will always come from clients themselves.

Sustainable Living at its Finest: Apartment Barn Testimonial

The apartment barn is an efficient structure that makes good use of space with its hybrid design. Combining home with hobby, our apartment barn kits offer the benefit of bringing you closer to the things you love the most. Not to mention a reduced carbon footprint!

This sustainable apartment barn in Cornelius, Oregon boasts two horse stalls and two dog kennels on the ground floor, and a cozy living space upstairs. Modified from an Oakridge 36’ apartment barn kit, this functional and attractive structure boasts an array of energy-efficient upgrades. Skylights optimize natural lighting for the upstairs living quarters while a solar panel and electric car charging station reduce energy consumption.

Hear what the owners of this sustainable apartment barn have to say about working with DC Structures in the apartment barn testimonial below!

Thinking about an apartment barn for your own property? Request our digital catalog and get started on your dreams today!