Do I need an architect for a Barndominium?

In Summary. Whether the goal is to turn a barndominium into a dream home or an exciting, open concept commercial space, it's best to hire a full-service architecture and engineering firm to design the structure and manage the project from beginning to end.

zparcheng.com - A Guide on the Importance of a Barndominium Architect

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Clients considering erecting a barn-style structure will fare better consulting a professional architectural firm for a barndominium house plan than they will attempting to buy a kit and hiring a contractor to handle the build. Here are the three key reasons why hiring an architect is the best choice for those looking to live the barndominium life.

1. Your Visions Become a Reality

No matter what a client’s dream barndominium looks like, an architect can make that vision come to life. Architects with experience in creating barndominium floor plans and monitoring their building process have the unique ability to erect a structure that combines residential living quarters with commercial spaces and/or recreational spaces, all while providing aesthetic appeal. Regardless of the project's scope, architects follow the architectural design process to a tee to ensure that every structure is safe, efficient, built to code, and satisfies the client's unique needs. The best architects also know how to take a client’s vision and improve it by offering expert advice. This professional advice makes hiring an architect well worth the investment.

But that’s not all …

An architect can design a custom barndo to meet any specific size or height requirements, including how many stories the structure will have. They create building plans that account for the environment, elevations of the property site, and the client’s specific design load. In addition, architects provide interior design elements, including where plumbing, electrical, and mechanical systems will go. A client can approach an architect with a wish list of what they want their barndominium to look like and how they want it to function. But it’s the architect's responsibility to ensure that the structure can be built efficiently and outfitted with attractive interior finishes and an architectural layout that meets those overall goals. Barndominium kits are customizable to a degree, as many manufacturers allow clients to add upgrades or choose a few specific design elements. Having an architect involved in the process allows the client much more flexibility as well as peace of mind that the building will be both aesthetically pleasing and architecturally sound.

2. Cost-Efficiency Increases

One of the reasons barndominiums have become so popular is that the materials used to erect them are typically less expensive than those required to erect traditional “stick-built” structures. Assembling those materials is also a bit easier, so there is cost-efficiency on the construction side as well. The first barndominiums were built in the pole barn structure, a simplified framing technique that traditionally used wood post frames. Today, most barndos are built on steel frames with a series of thick steel columns to support the structure. Even with steel frame supports, building a barndominium is easier and usually less expensive than building a stick-built structure. However, some clients looking to build a barndominium don’t realize that hiring an architect can make the project even more cost-effective. Hiring an architect to create barndo home plans or build a commercial barndo space — one that’s well-conceived from the ground up — can actually save money in the long run.

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Here’s why:

Architects provide clients with options, including things like building materials and finishes. They know which materials and finishes will work best with and withstand the surrounding environment. They know which materials are most durable. The more durable the materials, the less a client will have to spend on future maintenance and upkeep. Architects also know how to build energy-efficient spaces. By designing a structure with strategically-placed windows that allow natural light, clients can save thousands on their utility bills over time.

3. Your Architect is Your Guide

As a dream home or a multi-functional commercial or recreational space, the barndominium offers limitless possibilities, but that doesn’t make them “easy” to build for people that don’t have construction experience. Hiring a general contractor who knows how to erect steel buildings is a necessity. Inexperienced builders, even those with a moderate level of experience in erecting metal buildings, should never attempt to build a barndominium on their own. Architects do far more than design barndominium floor plans and select interior finishes. They also work with structural engineers and construction experts to ensure that a building is designed and erected properly from start to finish.

That includes:

Assessing feasibility and function

Checking zoning regulations

Securing the building permits

Creating schematic designs that show the placement of windows and doors

Overseeing the construction process

Remedying any obstacles that may arise during the build

From creating the initial design concept to seeing the project through to the end of the building phase, many decisions need to be made for a barndominium to be erected safely and efficiently. Clients will be best served by relying on the professional expertise of an architect to guide them through the process and help them reach their overall design goals. While the low price of a barndo kit makes it an attractive option for some, it’s important to reiterate that it is not a DIY structure that inexperienced builders can erect on their own. To comply with building codes and meet safety standards, an experienced construction contractor is needed to build the structure.

zparcheng.com - A Guide on the Importance of a Barndominium Architect

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