Burns and Benson Recreate History

Documentary filmmaker Ken Burns is probably best known for chronicling history that represent the real fabric of American heritage. It's therefore not surprising that when he needed a structure for guest quarters, screening studio and archival storage, near Florentine Films in Walpole, he drew inspiration from a classic 19th century New England barn on his property.

When Ken originally approached us about this project there was some hope that we could move, renovate and update the old barn, but after an inspection it quickly became clear that many of the timbers and other elements could not be reused, said Bill Holtz, architect with Bensonwood Homes, a home designer and builder also based in Walpole.  We transitioned to designing a new barn using modern techniques from Bensonwood, but with clear direction from Ken that the new building would capture the timeless charm of the old barn and the appearance of having been a part of the property for the past 200 years.

Burns often hosts actors, producers, and others involved with his films for extended periods. The barn will serve not only as guest quarters but can also be used as a screening space.

The classic 30 foot by 48 foot barn, raised in mid June and scheduled to be completed in the fall, will have two primary levels, with dining room, kitchen, and two bedroom suites on the first floor, with an open living area that will also function as the screening area. The second floor will have an open loft area and a separate bathroom. There will also be generous storage space on the basement level.

The interior of the barn is an authentic timberframe that honors the era of hand-hewing and the extensive use of local pine, hemlock and oak for timbers and boards. The exterior of the barn will be sided with stained hemlock boards. While the building will feel old, what people probably won't notice are the modern design/build practices that will create a high level of sustainability, durability and energy performance to complement the historic accuracy. Beyond its rustic appearance, Bensonwood's wall panelization and sealing techniques will ensure a highly efficient thermal envelope. In addition, Bensonwood's Open-Built will separate the mechanical layers of the home from the structure and thermal envelope, so the building will adapt to the changing needs of its occupants over time.

For more information, visit www.bensonwood.com.