The Shepherd’s Corner Administrative Center, operated by the Dominican Sisters of Peace, aims to “reconnect people to the Earth that sustains us and gives us life.” The Sisters hired DesignGroup to create an ecologically friendly structure that complemented their mission. A 100-year-old barn, slated to be torn down, was reused to become the new center. Carefully disassembled, with each piece numbered for reassembly, the old barn was transported to its new site. Because it was too tall for its new purpose, excess wood was cut off and reused to create an attached lean-to that houses a kitchen and garage. The former hayloft boards, original siding, and other scrap timber salvaged from the barn became elements of the new center. Any new wood needed was milled on site from trees taken on site. This modest project encapsulates the sustainable values that DesignGroup has loved and supported for decades.

Size:

5,500 SF

Completion:

2006