Great Big Beautiful Barns

Great Big Beautiful Barns

The façade of the eight-stall barn at Meadow Creek Farm includes oak framing and stone.

At River Farm in Leesburg there is a 24-stall barn and a covered connection to the indoor arena.

Meadow Creek Farm in Floyd, Virginia.

The 100 x 200 foot indoor arena at Meadow Creek has an observation lounge.

The observation lounge at River Farm overlooks the indoor arena.

American Equestrian Design: Barns, Farms, and Stables by Blackburn Architects is a cross-country photo gem for equestrians to read about where to keep their equines. Blackburn Architects, P.C. was established in 1983 to provide full-service architectural design and planning services specializing in barns. Owner John Blackburn has become well known for the focus on light and ventilation so all occupants (human and equine) can thrive. The firm’s design team considers clients’ needs and site concerns with an emphasis that now incorporates a sustainable future. Add to this a momentum for further environmental safeguards.

Many in the Middleburg area are already familiar with the firm’s work at Heronwood in Upperville and Rutledge Farm in Middleburg. Here we offer a peek at two special places. River Farm, in Leesburg along the shore of the Potomac River, includes large indoor and outdoor riding space, a barn with stalls for grooming and washing and a set of sliding partitions that can be closed in case of fire.

In Floyd, Virginia at Meadow Creek Farm, the owners commissioned an eight-stall stable for their Rocky Mountain horses. The design team took creative vision from the nearby Blue Ridge Parkway with a sophisticated rustic use of oak framing and stone. The 90-acre facility also includes an arena and paddocks.

There is interlocking rubber flooring throughout the barn area at River Farm.

Published by The Images Publishing Group, also on Amazon and at blackburnarch.com.

Whenever possible, Country ZEST encourages our readers to buy local. Second Chapter Books in Middleburg can fulfill almost any request.