SIP Barn and Wood Shop Longmont CO

Location: Longmont, CO

Project Information

Project Type: Agricultural
Manufacturer: Premier Building Systems
Builder: PG Arnold Construction
Design Professional: SD-6 architecture + design
Year Built: 2024

Performance

High Performance: No
HERS/EUI Index Score:
ACH50 - Blower Test Results:
kBtu/sq.ft./year:
CO2 lbs./sq.ft./year:

The barn is a utilitarian building that houses both a wood shop and tractor shop/metal fabrication space.

A Durable and Adaptable Barn for the Future

This project involved the construction of a utilitarian barn to house both a wood shop and a tractor shop/metal fabrication area. The building is internally divided into two equal spaces: a south-facing side featuring passive solar heating and a north-facing side dedicated to the tractor shop and metal fabrication.

To ensure maximum flexibility and adaptability for future needs, the barn was designed with an open floor plan divided by an insulated floor-to-ceiling partition. With minimal modifications, the structure can be easily repurposed for various uses, including cold storage or even a 1400 sq. ft. residence, simply by adding a heat pump HVAC system.

SIP Specifications:

  • Wall: 4" GPS core
  • Roof: 10" GPS core

Prioritizing Longevity and Sustainability:

From the outset, the owners expressed a strong desire for all farm buildings to have a lifespan exceeding 100 years. After careful consideration of various construction options, SIPs were selected as the ideal solution to meet their goals of sustainability and long-term adaptability.

SIPs: A Foundation for Durability:

The SIP system enabled the construction of an agricultural accessory building requiring minimal ongoing maintenance. The robust SIP envelope, coupled with careful attention to detail, ensures a durable and energy-efficient structure. The airtight nature of the SIPs contributes to comfortable working conditions, even during cold winter months.

Building for the Future:

To achieve the 100+ year lifespan goal, significant emphasis was placed on protecting the SIPs from the elements.

  • Weather Protection: Extended roof eaves provide effective protection from rain and optimize passive solar gain on the south elevation. A rainscreen siding assembly and a "cold roof" design ensure ample ventilation between the steel cladding and the SIP skins, facilitating the drying of any moisture that may penetrate.
  • Foundation Design: The building rests on a robust, fully insulated, frost-protected shallow foundation designed to withstand the weight of heavy tractors and equipment.

Structural Innovations:

  • Heavy-Duty Framing: The primary ridge beam and 16' wide barn door headers are supported by robust W-shaped steel beams. These beams not only provide exceptional structural support but also serve as a framework for future installation of chain hoists and trolleys, transforming them into effective gantry cranes for moving heavy equipment within the barn.

Energy Efficiency and Sustainability:

  • Passive Solar Heating: The south-facing windows, with a high solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) of 0.61, effectively capture solar energy, warming the thick, insulated slab during winter months.
  • Efficient Lighting: High-bay, high-output LED tube lights illuminate all areas of the barn.
  • Renewable Energy: The farmstead utilizes an 18.8 kW solar array installed on the barn roof, aiming to offset more than half of the farm's overall energy consumption, including tools and irrigation pumps.

This project exemplifies a commitment to sustainable building practices, creating a durable and adaptable structure that will serve the needs of the farm for generations to come.

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