The 2021 Modern Barnhouse Idea House, built by This Old House in partnership with Amy Matthews, stands as a remarkable example of how traditional agricultural forms can be reimagined through contemporary architecture. At the heart of this project was Colin Oglesbay, Principal at D/O Architecture, whose thoughtful design approach transformed a simple barn silhouette into a sophisticated, energy-efficient home that respects both its rural setting and the family living within it. Located in Afton, Minnesota, within the St. Croix River Valley, this 4,090-square-foot residence sits on 1,500 acres of conservation land, offering a masterclass in modern rural home design.
The Architect Behind the Modern Barnhouse
Colin Oglesbay serves as Principal at D/O Architecture, a firm recognized for its clean, thoughtful residential and commercial work. His role in the 2021 Modern Barnhouse went far beyond drafting floor plans. Working alongside Aaron McCauley-Aburto at D/O Architects, Oglesbay translated the client’s vision into a built form that balances aesthetic beauty with practical farmstead living.
The client, Amy Matthews, is a licensed contractor, former television host, and activist who wanted a home that could serve as both a family residence and a working farm base. Matthews brought a rare perspective to the project: she understood construction from the inside out and had clear ideas about how the home should function. Oglesbay’s design had to accommodate daily farm activity, frequent guests, and the filming requirements of a This Old House television series.
The Collaborative Design Process
The architect-client relationship in this project followed a collaborative model that produced better outcomes. Key elements of this approach included:
- Early site walks: Oglesbay and Matthews walked the property together to understand solar orientation, views, and wind patterns before a single line was drawn.
- Function-first programming: Every space was sized and positioned based on how the family actually lives, not on generic room templates.
- Material workshops: The team tested finishes and samples on-site to see how they looked in natural Minnesota light.
- Budget transparency: Construction costs were discussed openly from the start, preventing expensive change orders later.
This collaborative foundation allowed Oglesbay to push the design in creative directions while staying grounded in what was buildable and affordable. The result is a home that feels custom without being indulgent.
Matching Architecture to Lifestyle
One of Oglesbay’s guiding principles was that architecture should respond directly to how people live. As he told the This Old House team, “Amy and Eli are going to be active on the farm and get muddy, so the surfaces needed to be durable. We wanted to keep the materials simple and honest.” This philosophy of honest materials informed every decision, from the polished concrete floors that withstand mud and boots to the durable Caesarstone countertops that handle heavy kitchen use.
Scandinavian Design Philosophy and Its Influence
The Modern Barnhouse draws heavily from Scandinavian design traditions, a choice that reflects Amy Matthews’s own heritage. This design language emphasizes simplicity, functionality, and a deep connection to the natural environment. The modern barnhouse style itself represents a fusion of two distinct architectural traditions: the pragmatic agricultural barn and the minimalist modern home.
Core Principles of Scandinavian-Inspired Barn Design
- Simplicity of form: Clean lines and uncomplicated roof profiles define the barn silhouette without unnecessary ornamentation.
- Natural light prioritization: Large windows, skylights, and glass connections bring daylight deep into the floor plan.
- Honest material expression: Wood, concrete, steel, and glass are left exposed or finished minimally rather than hidden behind drywall or veneers.
- Indoor-outdoor connection: Every major living space opens to the exterior, blurring the line between inside and outside.
- Neutral color palette: White walls, natural wood tones, and black window frames create a calm backdrop for living.
How the Barn Form Was Reimagined
A traditional barn is a simple gabled box with a steep roof, wide doors, and minimal windows. Oglesbay’s design retains this essential silhouette but transforms every element:
- The steep roof becomes an opportunity for dramatic vaulted interior spaces.
- The wide barn doors are replaced with floor-to-ceiling glazing that floods the interior with light.
- The dark exterior, clad in real cedar siding with Cabot stain, nods to traditional weathered barns while using modern, high-performance materials.
- Two flat-roofed projecting wings break out from the main volume: one housing a dining room that feels like a glass snow globe, the other a sunroom for quiet mornings.
The long, linear layout of the home mirrors the pragmatic organization of a farm building. Public spaces gather on the ground floor, while private quarters sit above, connected by a two-story vaulted stairwell with floating stairs from Viewrail.
Construction Methods and Energy Performance
One of the most impressive aspects of the Modern Barnhouse is its construction system. Rather than traditional stick framing, the team used Structural Insulated Panels, or SIPs, for the entire building envelope. This decision had profound implications for both the construction timeline and the long-term energy performance of the home.
Understanding SIP Construction
Structural Insulated Panels consist of a rigid foam core sandwiched between two structural facings, typically oriented strand board. The panels are prefabricated in a factory to exact dimensions, then shipped to the site for assembly. This approach offers several advantages over conventional framing, as shown in the comparison below.
| Feature | SIP Construction | Conventional Stick Framing |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation value | R-30 to R-51 (continuous) | R-13 to R-21 (with thermal bridging) |
| Wall assembly time | 5 weeks for entire shell | 3 to 4 months |
| Air infiltration | Extremely low (factory seals) | Moderate (field-sealed) |
| Heating/cooling savings | Up to 58% reduction | Baseline |
| Jobsite waste | Minimal (factory cut) | Significant (field cut) |
| Mold resistance | High (no thermal bridging) | Moderate |
| Dust and pollen filtration | Excellent | Variable |
For the Modern Barnhouse, the factory-built panels took approximately two days to manufacture and were assembled on site in about five weeks. This speed of construction is a major advantage for projects with tight filming schedules, as the This Old House series required the home to be completed within a specific broadcast window.
Material Palette and Finishes
Oglesbay’s commitment to honest materials extended beyond the structural system to every finish in the home. The exterior uses real cedar siding treated with Cabot stain, paired with a Bridger Steel metal roof that will last decades. Sierra Pacific Windows provide high-performance glazing with slim profiles that maintain the clean architectural lines.
Inside, the palette is restrained and warm:
- Walls and ceilings: Benjamin Moore Super White on walls, Simply White on ceilings, creating a bright, reflective interior.
- Floors: Polished concrete with embedded hydronic radiant heating from Uponor, delivering efficient, even warmth throughout the Minnesota winter.
- Cabinetry: White oak with a clear finish, adding natural warmth to the otherwise neutral scheme.
- Countertops: Caesarstone quartz, chosen for durability and low maintenance.
- Skylights: VELUX solar-powered units that automatically adjust ventilation and light levels.
The builder, Chad Maack of Hartman Homes, worked closely with Colin Montoute Joins Wxy As New Architecture Director to ensure that every material and assembly met both the design intent and the rigorous performance targets. This level of coordination between architect, builder, and suppliers is essential for delivering a high-performance home on an accelerated schedule.
Key Interior Spaces and Community Impact
The Modern Barnhouse interior is organized around gathering and connection. The long, linear plan places the kitchen, dining, and living areas in an open arrangement on the ground floor, with each zone flowing naturally into the next. A central monolith housing the wine bar and pantry anchors the open plan, providing storage and visual structure without blocking sight lines.
The Glass Bridge and Owner’s Suite
One of the most distinctive architectural features is the glass bridge that connects the main house to the owner’s suite, which sits above the garage. This transparent connector turns a daily routine into an experience, offering views of the surrounding conservation land with every crossing. The owner’s suite itself is a private retreat, separated from the main house activity by the bridge, yet visually and physically connected.
Second Floor Functionality
The second floor of the main house contains high-functioning spaces designed for a working family:
- Home office: Positioned at the front of the house with views down the driveway, allowing the family to see arrivals.
- Workout room: A dedicated space for exercise, avoiding the need for gym memberships or equipment cluttering the main living area.
- Laundry room: Generously sized and located on the bedroom level, where laundry is actually generated and stored.
- Two guest bedrooms and a bathroom: Designed for family and friends who visit the farm.
The Women in Trades Workshop
Beyond the main house, the project included the renovation of a 20-by-40-foot outbuilding into a hands-on training facility for And Now She Rises, Amy Matthews’s nonprofit organization. This workshop serves as a teaching space where women can learn construction skills in a supportive environment. The building was rebuilt using the same durable, honest materials as the main house, demonstrating that quality design should extend to every structure on the property, not just the primary residence.
Lessons for Homeowners and Designers
The Modern Barnhouse offers several takeaways that apply to projects of any scale:
- Invest in the envelope first. The SIP structure delivers long-term energy savings that far outweigh the upfront cost premium. Prioritizing insulation and air sealing before finishes pays dividends for decades.
- Choose materials that improve with age. Cedar siding, concrete floors, and metal roofing all develop character over time rather than looking worn. Avoid trendy finishes that will date the home.
- Design for how you actually live. The Modern Barnhouse succeeds because every space was sized and positioned based on real family routines, not architectural conventions. A laundry room on the bedroom floor and a mudroom sized for farm boots are the kinds of practical decisions that make a home genuinely functional.
- Connect to the site. The long, linear plan, the glass bridge, and the extensive glazing all respond to the specific landscape of the St. Croix River Valley. Architecture that ignores its setting misses the opportunity to create a sense of place.
The 2021 Modern Barnhouse Idea House stands as a testament to what can be achieved when an experienced architect like Colin Oglesbay partners with a knowledgeable client and a skilled builder. By respecting tradition while embracing innovation, the project offers a compelling model for rural residential architecture that is both beautiful and responsible.