Animal House - Completion

"Animal House"..... a home for horses, alpacas, goats, ghosts and goblins... is one of our favorite projects to share and update. Back in March we shared the age old roof thatching process of the apse of the barn and last November we shared the materials and sketches that make up "Animal House." 

Inspired by olde world rural whimsy, this barn located in rural Colorado not only houses animals, but a massive lichen-covered stone fireplace and hearth that ambles its way up to the sky. Now that the animals have moved in, we were excited to shoot the space being loved by fuzzy alpacas, watchful barn cats and frolicking donkeys and dogs.

Scroll down for a few photos of our shoot and click into our portfolio of Animal House for the full set. 

Animal House - Completion

We introduced our Animal House project on the blog back in November and followed up with the fascinating process of roof thatching here. Now the ghosts, goblins, llamas, and horses are ready to move in the barn. We can't wait to come back and photograph this project with all it's inhabitants. For now, here are some shots our client took of the exterior.

Early sketch of the east elevation of "Animal House"

Animal House - Roof Thatching

Thatching the 'Witches Hat' at our Animal House project

If you remember our first blog post and introduction of Animal House, a home for "horses, alpacas, goats, ghosts, and goblins," you'll recall we promised an update on the roof thatching process. Scroll down for more photos and tidbits when we dropped by to watch this fascinating process.

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Laying out the thatch in bundles

Using a thatching spade to form and align the thatch ends

Securing the thatch down... each successive bundle will conceal the wire.

The tools of a roof thatcher

Marking the alignment of the first daylight of the Winter Solstice hitting the interior tree post

Animal House - Build

Original sketch of 'Animal House' inspired by ye olde world and rural whimsy

The walnut trunk is now up at 'Animal House'! Towering 15' high, the tree supports the church-like "apse" punctuating the end of a linear series of stalls/party pads for various animals. Originating from the site, the black walnut's bark was scraped off and teak oil was used to enrich the surface. Affectionately dubbed 'The Witches Hut', the apse will also house a massive stone fireplace where humans, horses, alpacas, goats, ghosts, and goblins alike will enjoy the grand space.

Check back in December for an update on the roof thatching process!

Onsite black walnut tree

The hearth stone--over 100 inches long and covered in beautiful lichen

The animal stall corridor looking framing the walnut trunk and apse