![A renovated barn with black exterior and solar panels.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/renovated-barn-black-wood-exterior-110521-908-01.jpg)
Photography by Reto Guntli and Brian Ferry
Architecture and interior design firm BarlisWedlick has completed a residential project in Ancram, New York, that includes three different buildings – a barn and pool, the main house, and a sauna tower.
Let’s take a look at the different structures…
The Barn & Pool
BarlisWedlick salvaged and relocated a 19th-century barn from a nearby town and transformed it by painting it black with bold, red-framed windows for its new owner. The barn also has a solar power array built into the roof that provides electricity to multiple buildings on the property.
![A modern black barn with solar panels and red window frames.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/renovated-barn-black-wood-exterior-110521-908-02.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
Adjacent to the barn is a natural swimming pool that uses water gardens to perform all necessary filtration requirements. A wood deck has sun chaises, a lounge area, and outdoor dining.
![A modern black barn house with a natural swimming pool.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/renovated-barn-black-wood-exterior-swimming-pool-landscaping-110521-908-03.jpg)
Photography by Reto Guntli
The interior of the barn, built with Passive House principles, includes a loft with a fireman’s pole that leads to a studio apartment, a wood-burning stove, and a Tesla charging station.
![A barn interior with a bed surrounded by a fabric tent.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/renovated-barn-interior-110521-909-04.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
![A renovated barn with a fireman's pole.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/renovated-barn-yellow-accents-110521-909-05.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
![Vintage furniture in a renovated barn.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/renovated-barn-interior-110521-909-06.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
The Main House
The design of the main ‘cabin-style home drew inspiration from the barn and is clad in ‘Shou-sugi-ban’ charred cedar to preserve the wood to make it more durable.
![A large cabin-style home with charred cedar siding.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/black-house-exterior-110521-909-07.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
![A large cabin-style home with charred cedar siding.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/black-house-exterior-110521-909-08.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
Inside the home, there’s an open living and bedroom area that can be divided by a wall that rises from within the master suite platform. Vintage and built-in furniture are also showcased, with the interior being styled with a modern spin in a rural retreat. The home also includes a dark gray kitchen with integrated appliances, dark countertops, and an island.
![The multi-level interior of a barn-inspired home.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/modern-barn-house-110521-910-09.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
![Vintage furnishings within a barn-inspired home.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/modern-interior-furnishings-110521-910-10.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
![A modern gray kitchen with integrated fridge, dark countertops, and island.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/modern-kitchen-with-island-110521-910-11.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
![A modern gray kitchen with integrated fridge, dark countertops, black hardware, and an island.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/modern-kitchen-with-island-110521-910-12.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
![A barn-inspired home with custom bookshelves and a yellow handrail accent.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/modern-interior-yellow-stair-accent-110521-910-13.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
![A modern barn-inspired bedroom with exposed wood.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/modern-bedroom-exposed-wood-beams-110521-911-14.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
![A contemporary bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower and a freestanding bathtub.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/contemporary-bathroom-110521-911-15.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
The Sauna Tower
The ‘Sauna Tower’ is a 3-story cedar tower with a sauna that’s connected to the main house by a narrow bridge. The tower starts at the ground level with a wood-burning sauna, with the second level featuring a screened-in porch with seating and a table, and a third level with a lookout and swing.
![A three-storey cedar tower with a sauna.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/sauna-tower-110521-911-16.jpg)
Photography by Brian Ferry
The Site Plan
Here’s a look at the site plan that shows how the different are located in relation to each other and their surroundings.
![The site plan of a property with three different structures.](https://www.contemporist.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/site-plan-110521-911-17.jpg)