Swallowfield Barn, Vancouver Farm Building Development, Canadian Architecture, Images
Swallowfield Barn in Langley
Contemporary Timber Farm Building Development in BC, Canada – design by MOTIV Architects
6 Mar 2018
Swallowfield Barn
Design: MOTIV Architects
Location: Langley, Vancouver BC, Canada
Swallowfield Barn

The goal of the Swallowfield barn was to use the very process of design and construction to strengthen the bond amongst a tight-knit family and to build community within their rural neighbourhood. Designed by the architect for his parents on their farm in rural Langley, BC, Canada, known affectionately as Swallowfield, it was conceived of in two parts. It is first a humble barn designed for simple inhabitants – resident cattle, swine, sheep, fowl, cats, and barn owls, with workshops and storage for a modest hobby farm. It is secondly an homage to the vernacular building forms of our nation?s agricultural landscape and the community building processes that shaped them.
The hayloft was conceived as a vibrant community gathering space, suitable for hosting concerts, weddings, art shows, poetry readings, fundraisers and long-table dinners serving an abundance of food from the small farm.

The simplicity of the barn?s form is intentionally reminiscent of traditional North American barns, visible across the pastures from neighbouring farms. The barn?s striking, off-kilter, roof profile creates a warm and inviting entrance visible on axis through the gard...