“Green” architecture has become a modern buzzword for a new environmentalism, spawned by rising fuel costs, global warming, dramatic weather changes, the loss of open space and urban sprawl. Meanwhile, Blackburn Architects has been designing with sustainable principles at heart for more than two decades.

Blackburn Architects resisted the culture of waste that was prevalent in the building industry throughout ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s, favoring an approach to projects that conserves resources, limits waste, maximizes the use of renewable materials and reuses existing buildings whenever possible. According to John Blackburn,

“We asked ourselves early on: How do we approach a project in a way that is the least wasteful, the most conserving of resources, the most environmentally friendly and yet satisfy both the needs of the client and the horse?”

The solution was to find ways to cooperate with natural forces instead of competing with them. This approach resulted in the design of barns that limit their reliance on electricity yet provide the safest possible shelter for horses. Passive design solutions can minimize the risks to animals living in a confined space by depending on nature for light and ventilation rather than electricity. Blackburn barns are naturally ventilated using the principles of thermodynamics and site planning to take advantage of prevailing breezes and sun exposure. In addition, wherever possible, existing vegetation and mature trees on a building site are preserved, helping to attenuate weather extremes.

Architecture is by its nature often a wasteful process. Buildings eat up arable land, resources are wasted in the demolition of old buildings, new construction uses scarce resources, and existing buildings consume energy throughout the life of the structure. According to several sources, buildings account for a third of all the energy used in the United States and half of all electricity. Buildings are responsible for more than a third of all greenhouse gases produced in the U.S. Architects can make an enormous contribution to changing the negative impact of our buildings.

“My approach has been a natural one, the architecture of passive design,” John says , “but it doesn’t have to drive the aesthetics of a building.” Green design can be hidden in the design of a structure. No wind scoops or solar panels are required to announce the sustainable qualities of the building. Buildings can be designed to reflect the architectural vernacular of a region, yet remain effectively “green” without sacrificing aesthetic beauty.

Blackburn barns have been keeping pastures greener and providing safe and healthy environments for horses for nearly a quarter of a century.

For more information on Blackburn barns and green design, please contact us for additional information.