Michael Hennessey Architecture

Sonoma Barn

Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture

AREA
1991.0 ft2

YEAR
2011

LOCATION
Sonoma, USA

CATEGORY
Renovation

Text description provided by architect.

The owners of a private vineyard sought to renovate an existing pre-engineered metal barn into a music room, mezzanine, exercise room, and restrooms.

Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture
Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture

The building is located within the hills above the Sonoma Valley where temperatures during the summer can become excessive, demanding a clear passive cooling strategy to create comfortable habitable spaces.

Michael Hennessey Architecture implemented a living screen that covers part of the south elevation, west elevation, and roof to create a growing blanket of shade. Orientation to the sun dictated the window interventions.

Only a singular horizontal window was located on the south elevation to take advantage of the high sun angle, while on the north elevation a wall of glass opens the music room to the landscape and distant views.

Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture
Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture
Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture

Two operable skylights are incorporated to take advantage of a natural “chimney effect” to evacuate warm air from the building.

These strategic arrangements of windows and skylights create dramatic natural lighting conditions at the interior of the building, where simple white walls and a white corrugated ceiling direct the light deep into the building.

These white background elements reinforce the purposeful composition of wenge veneer and exposed black framing at discrete locations.

Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture
Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture
Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture

In regards to the exterior composition, the green vines of the living screen work to ease the taut articulation of the building massing and fenestration elements.

A simple utility building is brought to life for a new use.


Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture
Sonoma Barn
© Michael Hennessey Architecture


Sonoma Barn
Plan
Sonoma Barn
Plan


Sonoma Barn
Site

Michael Hennessey Architecture
T +1 415 5121559
Michael Hennessey Architecture
1501 Mariposa St # 308, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States