The Red Barn
Converting a historic dairy barn into a multipurpose events venue.
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Client: City of Festus
Location: Festus, MO
Phase I completed 2024
4,894 SF
$560,871
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Planning
Code Compliance and ADA
Architectural Design
Interior Design
Renderings and Visualizations
Construction Documents
Construction Administration
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New attached outdoor deck
New roof
New front entry with French doors and new window allowing in more daylight
New lighting fixtures
New fire suppression system
Accessibility upgrades
A pop of warm color against the rolling green hills of Jefferson County, the City of Festus’s Red Barn is a testament to the region’s agricultural roots. Originally used for community events, the City had to stop using the Red Barn as a public space because of structural, life safety, and accessibility concerns. For years, the Barn sat empty while problems with the roof and building envelope put the building at risk of further decline. After ARPA funds became available for stabilizing the Barn’s structure, Bond Architects was retained by the city to address life safety requirements and improve accessibility.
“Working with Michelle Wells and the team at Bond Architects has been a fantastic experience. Their team has been incredibly professional, knowledgeable, and creative. They’ve listened attentively to the City’s vision for the Red Barn project and offered valuable insights throughout the design process. Personally, I’m impressed with their attention to detail and commitment to quality. I highly recommend Bond Architects for anyone looking for a talented and dedicated architectural firm.”
Honoring Historic Materials and Construction
With the Red Barn’s rustic charm being its major selling point, authenticity would be a top priority for the renovation. Problem areas would need to be addressed while keeping as much of the building’s bones as possible. To help the City achieve its goals within its limited budget, we developed a phased master plan that would self-fund future projects. The first phase would target the most necessary renovations for making the building operational. Once the Red Barn was open for business, the income brought in would be reinvested into the building, continuing to improve and secure the building for future generations.
Because we wanted to preserve as much of the original barn as possible, our master plan focused on building around the barn instead of altering the existing structure. To create more useable space, a deck was constructed around the barn in lieu of an addition. The deck connects to a new ADA ramp, creating a universally accessible main entry to the second-floor event space. A new concrete parking pad, adjacent to the ADA ramp, also improves accessibility. In addition to having a beautiful historic patina, the old growth wood used in the existing construction was remarkably strong compared to modern timber. Most of this wood was left untouched. Wherever existing wood was removed, the material was salvaged to replace water-damaged areas. This enhanced the project’s sustainability by reducing embodied carbon.
Securing the Envelope
To extend the longevity of the building, the envelope had to be made watertight. The old roof was replaced with a new roof made of corrugated metal. In addition to being authentic to the original design, corrugated metal is fireproof, extremely durable, and one of the longest lasting roofing solutions. Gaps between wall boards (another source of water infiltration) needed to be sealed. Owner, Architect, and Contractor all collaborated on-site to test different material options, with the team agreeing that wooden strips would better complement the space’s look and feel.
Celebrating A Community’s Heritage
People began calling the City to schedule events at the Red Barn before construction was even complete. By returning the Red Barn to its original position as a community hub, Festus gained a new gathering place and marker of regional identity. The Red Barn will boost economic development in Jefferson County by generating income for the City of Festus and creating new opportunities for local businesses. Making this historic barn accessible to the public again will also increase appreciation for rural Missouri’s vernacular architecture and agricultural history.