As 2024 winds down, we can’t help but reflect on what an unforgettable year it’s been for us. This year brought thrilling challenges, memorable moments, and, most importantly, incredible collaborations with our amazing clients. From multi-structure ranches to modern event venues and one-of-a-kind towers, we’re excited to share a countdown of the projects that left the biggest impression on our team this year.

Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your next project or simply curious about what we’ve been up to, here’s a look at our top 5 favorite projects of 2024 and a few of the stories behind them.

#5: Carbondale Horse Barn & Loft

Nestled in the serene beauty of western Colorado, the Carbondale Horse Barn & Loft captivated us for so many reasons. From its postcard-worthy setting to its rustic yet timeless design, this project is everything we love about barn-style living—and then some!

What makes this barn even more special is its dual purpose as a home for our client’s donkeys and other animals—a detail that melted our hearts. As Paulo Coelho once said, “It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary,” and this barn is a perfect testament to that philosophy.

#4: Mississippi Horse Barn & Home

This equestrian estate in Flora, Mississippi, is the kind of dream home we love to bring to life. Starting with our Oakridge Apartment Barn Kit as the foundation, these clients turned a stunning design into a full-fledged masterpiece.

One of the standout features is the custom 2,205 sq. ft. pavilion connecting the main house to a covered riding arena. This one-of-a-kind addition, complete with matching heavy timber roofing, showcases how a vision can come to life with creativity and a willingness to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

#3: Corvallis Event Venue

While many clients have started with an event barn kit for their venue projects, some have decided to branch out and transform another kit from our collection into their dream venue. In the case of this stunning commercial project in Corvallis, Oregon, our clients began with a Pineridge Apartment Barn Kit, and the results are nothing short of spectacular.

Understated elegance on the outside, paired with an awe-inspiring interior, makes this venue truly one of a kind. With its tall, heavy timber ceilings, gorgeous glass-enclosed office, and incredible warmth and openness, this post and beam building features a breathtaking design that surely will inspire you and your upcoming project.

#2: Copperhead Creek Ranch Bar & Guesthouse

Coming in at #2 is one of the largest and most ambitious projects we’ve tackled this year: the Copperhead Creek Ranch. With seven separate structures designed and built in partnership with our parent company, DC Builders, this ranch truly raised the bar.

Among this ranch’s many highlights, the Copperhead Creek Ranch Bar & Guesthouse stands out as one of our favorites. This modern rustic marvel is as functional as it is beautiful, thanks to the creativity of our clients and the expertise of our interior design team, who worked closely with the client’s designer to fine-tune the technical details.

“This was my first project after joining DC, and it really showcased the value of 3D modeling in achieving precision and bringing client visions to life,” says Rochelle Talwar, Lead Interior Designer. “From cabinet layouts to tile installation guides, this project demonstrated how important the details are—and how rewarding they can be when done right.”

#1: Oregon Lookout Tower & Treehouse

And finally, the project that stole the show: the Oregon Lookout Tower & Treehouse in Sandy, Oregon. This three-story, 56-foot-high structure is a true feat of design and engineering.

The fourth project we’ve built for these incredible clients, this tower masterfully combines heavy timber construction with steel reinforcements to create a structure as stunning as it is sturdy. The crown jewel? A 577 sq. ft. living space perched at the top, offering sweeping views of the lush forests surrounding Mt. Hood.

“This project pushed us to think creatively and bring our best to the table,” says Cole Hansen, Vice President of Sales. “It’s a reminder of why we do what we do: creating spaces that inspire and stand the test of time.”

What Will You Build in 2025?

As we look back on these amazing projects, we’re reminded that each one started with a simple idea—and a team ready to bring it to life. If you’re ready to start your journey, let’s work together to make 2025 your year for unforgettable builds.

Explore our building kits or contact our team today to start planning your dream project!

The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, particularly in towns like Asheville, North Carolina, has been incredibly shocking and heartbreaking to see. As a nationwide team with employees, clients, and loved ones in the affected inland and coastal areas, we are truly devastated for those who have lost family members, friends, homes, and entire communities in the hurricane’s wake.

While we’re all aware of the destructive potential of climate disasters, the increasing severity of these events in recent years is a stark and unsettling reality many of us are still grappling with. After the catastrophic damage caused by Helene, and with Hurricane Milton looming, many people are left asking: How can we better prepare our homes for these extreme weather events? And how can we design future homes and communities to protect people and infrastructure during a hurricane, wildfire, tornado, or other climate disaster?

With climate change increasing the frequency and intensity of natural disasters worldwide, our team is more committed than ever to ensuring that your home provides as much impact resistance and safety as possible in any weather or geological event. Even if evacuation is necessary, we want to help you create a hurricane-resistant house you can return to and thrive in again and again—and here are some of the ways we help achieve that:

Heavy-Duty Framing Components

One of the main advantages of choosing a building kit from DC Structures is our dedication to providing high-quality, durable materials. For example, our team sources select structural grade Douglas fir timbers for all our post and beam and timber frame buildings, ensuring maximum strength, energy efficiency, and beauty for your heavy timber structure.

In places like Florida, Texas, and California, we can’t stress enough the importance of building with robust materials like these, considering heavy timber structures are proven to be naturally resilient and perform exceptionally well under extreme conditions like earthquakes, high winds, fires, and other severe climate events. The strength and density of our timbers, along with their naturally energy efficient properties, make them an ideal framing material in disaster-prone areas. This core layer of protection significantly enhances a building’s performance and longevity.

Impact-Resistant Windows & Doors

Nothing is more terrifying than having the safety of your home compromised by shattered windows or a broken door during a hurricane. While fully hurricane-proof building materials don’t exist, we can equip your home with impact-resistant windows and doors that provide added security and peace of mind. To improve the performance and reliability of your building, we source our windows and doors from trusted suppliers like Andersen, Pella, and Marvin. While options like impact-resistant glass may come with a higher upfront cost, these material options are well worth the investment, particularly if you plan to remain in your home during a storm.

Precise 3D Design & Engineering

Something else that sets us apart here at DC is our ability to digitally construct your model ahead of the building process, giving you total freedom to do as you wish with your home or structure. During the design phase, our in-house designers will work closely with you to explore, modify, and perfect your design, with our team either starting with your preferred building kit or an idea for a custom building.

One of the main benefits of planning your structure this way is that every aspect of your building—from the foundation type to the framing and hardware—is carefully planned and thoroughly reviewed before fabrication starts at our manufacturing facility. That means your structure goes through multiple rounds of design reviews, edits, and approvals to ensure total precision for framing, resulting in a building kit that aligns perfectly with your location, site characteristics, and needs.

Furthermore, our engineering partner—licensed in all 50 states—is accustomed to working with clients in hurricane-prone areas and will guarantee, through thorough inspection and research, that all components of your design meet or exceed your state’s building codes. With your building modeled in our 3D design software and reviewed by our engineering partner, our process couldn’t be more effective in delivering superiorly built structures that stand up to climate disasters.

Steel & Concrete Reinforcements

For an added layer of strength, we can design your home with steel or concrete reinforcements to bolster its structural integrity. In hurricane-prone areas, an elevated foundation is crucial to protect against flooding, and incorporating steel or concrete elements can provide essential support and durability. For example, in the Hunter’s Point neighborhood on the Florida coast, homes were built with a solid concrete first floor, upper levels connected by steel straps, and a steel roof. As a result, these homes stayed dry and intact through Hurricane Helene, illustrating how strategic building methods can protect against severe weather.

Of course, we offer several other ways to enhance the safety, comfort, and protection of your home, no matter the climate challenges of your location. From California to Maine, we’ve worked with clients in all climates and can help you create a beautiful, resilient wood structure built to last for generations.

To learn more about how we design for climate disasters, call us at (888) 975-2057 to speak to a representative today! With our help, your dream of owning a safe, sustainable, and hurricane-resistant building is entirely within reach.

Prefab home kits are often confused for manufactured or modular homes, with many buyers initially mistaking the term for cheaply built, ready-made building packages, like the viral $30,000 tiny home from Amazon. Although prefab homes share a few characteristics with these pre-built options, like their ease of construction and budget-friendly nature, these structures couldn’t be more different in quality, customization, and versatility, to name a few! 

At DC, we pride ourselves on delivering America’s best and most complete pre-engineered building packages. Custom-tailored by our in-house designers and produced off-site using precision CNC technology, our prefabricated home kits are the antithesis of modular and manufactured homes, with our luxury, high-performance building solutions providing superior flexibility, durability, and value that suit any location. 

Whether you envision a quaint cottage, a sizable guest house, or a Craftsman-style dwelling for your property, here are some reasons why clients swear by our pre-engineered building kits and what continues to make them a step above the rest:

Exceptional Durability

Our team utilizes time-tested construction methods and precision technologies to deliver powerfully built prefab home kits. Using our state-of-the-art CNC robot, our team will translate your custom design plans into expertly crafted building packages that make assembly remarkably fast and accurate. To put things into perspective, our kits take 30% to 50% less time to frame than conventionally built homes, with elements like your walls, roof materials, and floor components arriving ready for installation on the job site. 

With our machine, our team will pre-cut, pre-drill, and label your lumber pieces to precision, ensuring each component fits perfectly with its connection. This level of accuracy, combined with our premium material supply, creates a recipe for success in our prefab home kit line, resulting in a kit home built to last and protect you in any weather event. 

Customization 

We design our pre-engineered building packages with flexible floor plans, materials, and structural elements to ensure your kit fully reflects your vision. With our prefab house plans, you can work one-on-one with our designers to create a layout that accommodates your needs and add or modify any features, finishes, or indoor and outdoor areas you see fit. As a bonus, we offer hundreds of options and upgrades through our partnerships with top North American brands, such as Andersen and Pella windows, Woodtone siding, and Trex decking. No matter what you have in mind for your custom home design, we offer the versatility, expertise, and attention to detail to deliver your dream structure! 

Premium Materials

If our company is known for anything, it’s quality. Whether it’s the exceptional customer support we provide, the attractiveness of our designs, or, in this case, the robustness and beauty of our materials, we consistently deliver quality solutions that keep clients coming back with new project ideas. Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, our team offers unbridled access to some of the world’s most valuable timber exports, like Douglas fir, Western red cedar, and coastal redwood.

Our close relationships with mill-direct suppliers in the region allow us to purchase these timbers at competitive prices, which we then pass directly on to you. With our team sourcing your materials, you can feel confident that your prefab home kit will be a fortress of strength while embodying the unrivaled beauty of the Pacific Northwest and providing the affordability you seek.

Energy-Efficiency

The energy efficiency of wood-framed homes and buildings is second to none, making these structures some of the more eco-friendly housing options on the market. By incorporating wood, specifically high-grade timbers, in your prefab home design, you can expect your structure to keep you comfortable in any season while drastically reducing heating and cooling bills throughout the year. As a naturally grown and renewable material, wood absorbs and releases heat, which helps maintain equilibrium in your indoor environments and improve air quality. Furthermore, by adding solar installations, skylights, and double- or triple-paned glass windows to their designs, homeowners can dramatically increase the energy efficiency of their homes and reduce their carbon footprint overall. 

Natural Beauty

Lastly, prefab home kits like ours offer natural beauty for your interior and exterior spaces. With your wood framing elements left exposed in your home, you can bring the beauty of the outdoors into your living room and enhance the long-term value of your structure. Whether you plan to invest in one of our post and beam, timber frame, or clear span homes or cabins, you can ensure your building model will retain its aesthetic appeal and timeless charm for ages. 

Need more convincing to build a prefab home kit on your property? We can think of twenty more reasons why you should! Call us today at (888) 975-2057 to speak to one of us directly or request a digital product catalog to see why we make the perfect partner for your dream home project.

Additionally, if you haven’t already, be sure to check out our Instagram or YouTube pages for more information on our products and to watch video footage of our completed dwellings, customer testimonials, and construction process. We’re in the business of bringing your dreams to life, and it all starts with building your prefab home your way. 

A well-organized storage shed isn’t just a place to stash your stuff—it’s a wise investment that can save you time, protect your possessions, and even increase the value of your property. Whether you’re storing vehicles, boats, ATVs, or farm equipment, an orderly storage building ensures everything is accessible and well-maintained. If you plan to build a custom storage barn on your property, here are a few essential tips to ensure you make the most of your investment and optimize the organization of your space. 

Implement a Strategic Layout

Buyers should start by considering the best layout for their garage or garages. The goal is to optimize your space without sacrificing accessibility. Divide the barn into zones based on the type of items stored and how often you plan to access them. For example, keep all vehicles in one area and smaller equipment, accessories, and tools in another. Within each zone, place materials that you use most often at the front and less frequently used products towards the back. Consider the turning radius and maneuverability of larger vehicles like boats and ATVs when planning your layout to avoid tight squeezes and enhance your experience inside the space.

Opt for Adjustable Shelving and Storage Solutions

Flexibility is key in a storage barn. Investing in features that enhance how you organize, like adjustable shelving units, allows you to customize your storage space to fit items of various sizes. Heavy-duty, free-standing shelves or racks are ideal for holding heavy equipment and can be easily moved if your needs change. For smaller tools and supplies, pegboards or magnetic panels make great storage options. They not only save space but also keep your tools organized and within easy reach.

Enhance Lighting and Electrical Setup

Good lighting is crucial in a storage barn—not just for aesthetics but for functionality and safety. Installing bright, energy-efficient LED lights helps ensure your indoor and outdoor areas are well-lit, reducing the risk of accidents and making it easier to find items. Also, consider the placement of electrical outlets. Adding several conveniently located outlets to your design will make it easier to perform maintenance tasks within the barn and charge battery-powered equipment.

Secure and Protect Your Investments

Security is a major consideration, especially when storing valuable vehicles and equipment. When accessorizing sheds and storage buildings, buyers should consider installing sturdy locks and security systems with cameras and motion detectors. Additionally, ensure that your shop is weather-resistant to protect its contents from environmental damage. Insulate and weatherproof your barn to prevent moisture buildup, which can lead to rust and decay of metal components and equipment. 

Regular Maintenance and Upkeep

Finally, maintaining the structure of your barn or warehouse and keeping it organized is crucial. Set a regular schedule to clean the barn, check for pests, and ensure all stored items, containers, and boxes are in good working order. This not only helps in prolonging the life of the items stored but also ensures that the barn remains a safe and welcoming space. 

By following these tips, your storage barn will be more than just a storage space; it will be a well-organized, efficient, and secure facility that enhances the value and functionality of your property.

Ready to take the next step in your project journey? Our team is here to answer any questions you may have regarding your barn plans, location, or anything else! Call us at (888) 975-2057 or request a digital product catalog here to gather more information for your project and begin designing your dream space.