This Corn Crib Guesthouse Honors Agrarian Architecture

The nostalgic shape gets a modern update at a guesthouse in central Ohio.

Rick Hawkins grew up on a rented farm 25 miles east of Columbus, Ohio, growing corn, wheat, and soybeans with his parents and five siblings. When the farm was put up for sale in the late 1970s, Rick, by thena successful entrepreneur, purchased it so that his elderly parents could stay on the property and the family, most of whom still lived nearby, could continue to gather there. 

When they needed more room for visiting children and grandkids, Karen and Rick Hawkins paid homage to a once common Midwestern sight, the corn crib, by adding to their family farm.

When they needed more room for visiting children and grandkids, Karen and Rick Hawkins paid homage to a once common Midwestern sight, the corn crib, by adding to their family farm.

Photo by Matthew Williams

In 2008, he did a total renovation of the farmhouse and some outbuildings, but as their grandchildren multiplied, Rick and his wife, Karen, who live in Austin most of the time, realized there was a need for more space. That’s when the idea was born to resurrect an iconic structure from Rick’s agrarian upbringing: the corn crib.

Sliding doors in the slatted shell conceal the side entry.

Sliding doors in the slatted shell conceal the side entry.

Photo by Matthew Williams

The keystone corn cribs of the 19th and early-20th century were masterpieces of functional Midwestern design. The walls were slanted out in a V-shape to keep rain off and slatted to circulate air, so the shucked ears of corn stored inside would dry. The floor was elevated to keep vermin at bay. The form was long and low to allow loading by wagon, while the V-shape helped to funnel the corn downward. 

By the 1950s, combines were shelling corn in the field and other machines were doing the drying. Corn cribs began to disappear. To Rick, re-creating one of these familiar forms and tucking a guesthouse inside seemed like the perfect way to blend the old with the new.

A hanging fireplace from Fireorb anchors the living area, where Book Totem and Peace Sign, both by Karen, are on display. A Graffiti pendant by Hubbardton Forge hangs over a custom table by Jed Dawson.

A hanging fireplace from Fireorb anchors the living area, where Book Totem and Peace Sign, both by Karen, are on display. A Graffiti pendant by Hubbardton Forge hangs over a custom table by Jed Dawson. The Bamileke King’s coffee table is from Restoration Hardware.

Photo by Matthew Williams

See the full story on Dwell.com: This Corn Crib Guesthouse Honors Agrarian Architecture
Related stories:

  • This Palm Springs Prefab Is a “Living Lab” for its Designer Residents
  • This Cor-Ten Steel Cabin Is a Woodland Escape for the Generations
  • Two Architects Build a Chalet-Style Getaway Near California’s Famed Lake Tahoe

Similar Posts

  • Collingwood Residence

    Situated on Bowen Island’s West Coast, the Collingwood Residence is located on a private 10 acre lot surrounded by forest. The home is divided into three buildings, connected by the glass breezeways, as an intentional separation of public and private spaces. The breezeways which separate the buildings afford views to the ocean as you approach the house. Social experiences are centered around the open kitchen, dining, and living space located in the central building, while the master and guest suites are located in the buildings to either side. Floor to ceiling sliding glass doors in the kitchen and dining spaces can be opened to extend the living space outdoors to the covered patio with views to the ocean. The local material selection is reflective of the home’s west coast setting: cedar shingles clad the exterior, while the natural stone grounds the home firmly on its site. The large cantilevered dual-pitch roofs with cedar soffits and exposed structure, reflect the traditional forms of the remote cabin, while they are given a contemporary feel with crisply detailed zinc fascias. The building is highly insulated and airtight to limit the need for energy usage throughout the year. Appliances were carefully selected for energy efficiency and low water consumption. Large low-e coated windows and overhangs are sited to maximize solar gain in the winter months whilst preventing overheating in the summer.

  • 27 Budget-friendly DIY Ottomans That Look Chic

    The ottoman is a truly versatile piece of home décor. It can be used in different rooms and in many different ways with ease. It is also a décor item that can be moved around with ease. This makes it a modular addition of sorts and one that is a must-have. But for our readers […]

    You’re reading 27 Budget-friendly DIY Ottomans That Look Chic, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.