In Defense of Modernism

Ok, so I JUST finished a very gracious private lecture with one of my favorite history professors. He he has recently figured out about my expensive hobby and took me through a book on stables that he is about to publish. Obviously, I nerded out with him; he's never ridden a horse, but it was interesting to hear the layman's view of barn design. Many of the examples in the book are stables that move past the standard post and beam barn. He noted how remarkably sterile the design of a barn is. Even when the exterior shifts with different shapes and materials, the general layout is pretty repetitive from one stable to the next.

This is all the more reason to find ways to be different.

Image by Daniela Mc Adden

I picked one of the stables from the book to highlight in this post. Yes, it was as difficult as it sounds. The book has so many great examples, but I don't want to spoil y'all's appetite too soon. The stable that we're going to delve into is the Figueras Polo Stables by Estudio Ramos. It's a 44 stall facility that integrates two stable blocks, living space, and an accessible roof garden. I'm going to speak briefly about some of my favorite elements, but if you want to see all the photos and read more in depth, all of this information can be found on Arch Daily who I wish would hire me to write Onion style articles about architecture.

Image by Daniela Mc Adden

Sketch by Estudio Ramos

This concept sketch shows the basic idea behind the building. The stable blocks are back to back with a breezeway encasing the whole block. This organization along with the placement of the trees on the property helps to keep the stables cool without the use of fans or air conditioning. Guess I should have mentioned that this facility is in Argentina, so natural ventilation is a necessity.

Image by Daniela Mc Adden

The wall separating the stables from the polo fields is an interesting move. It definitely recalls moves made in the Barcelona Pavilion, a popular project that architecture schools cannot let go of. In this case, the wall is not only decorative, but it designates a sacrifice area within the complex.

Image by Daniela Mc Adden

Image by Daniela Mc Adden

 Ah, who doesn't love a good spiral staircase. This one takes you right up to the roof garden and gives great views of the polo fields. More and more, I'm finding barns that integrate green roofs, and I'm shocked that we don't use them more often. If you're building or designing a barn right now, add a spiral stair and a green roof. Do it for me.

Alright, I'm done being weird. The book doesn't drop until next year, but I'll certainly share the link to order.

Image by Daniela Mc Adden