HOMES OF THE WEST

The CaBIN

It’s no secret that once all the livestock, grain and equipment is removed from the framework of an agricultural building, what’s left is the ideal shell for a unique living space. These distinct buildings that used to earn their keep as farming or ranching structures, offer a great deal of character. And what many people have discovered is that once they are cleaned, gleaned and primed for their second life, they provide a living experience that romantically blends urban and rural worlds together. Here’s how an Alberta couple turned a wind-blown, bashed in grain bin, into a sought-after airbnb.

By JENN WEBSTER

Five years ago, the neighbours of Trish Ferguson and Lee Phillips had a damaging plow wind blow a grain bin clear out of their yard line-up. The structure, previously used to house peas, canola, wheat, barley – or whatever grains were harvested that year – was so badly damaged that the neighbour offered it free to anyone who could come and take it away.

“I think a couple of people contacted our neighbour and said they would come and get it,” relays Ferguson, who lives near Mossleigh, AB. “But no one did.”

After about a year, the neighbour became frustrated and Ferguson and Phillips offered to take it off his hands.

“It all started in September of 2020, which was still Covid times,” laughs Ferguson. “We got a hold of a boom truck and tractor, so we could pull the fallen grain bin away, pound the inside out and see what we could do.”

As Ferguson describes the building process, the entire project had a “trial and error” feel to it. “We had never done anything like this,” she laughs. “So we just thought we’d give it a shot and see what came out of it.”

The result of many hours of work was something beautiful and exotic. Now, as a “reclaimed” grain bin, the caBIN (as Ferguson and Phillips refer to it), offers a unique, glamping experience as a rustic Alberta, gem.

RUSTIC, REPURPOSED & RELAXED

Partners Ferguson and Phillips realized that in order to properly convert the grain bin into living quarters, they would have to secure it to the ground more steadfastly than it was in its previous life. Therefore, they opted for a cement base.

The couple surveyed out a bottom floor that would hold the bin in place and extend beyond the grain bin walls, to allow for an outdoor shower and an expansive patio. However, before the cement was poured and set, they planned out lines for water and electrical, to ensure anyone who would end up staying in the CaBIN would have all the amenities of home.

As the cement base dried, Ferguson and Phillips searched around for wood. Lumber prices were soaring during the pandemic, so they found used boards at another neighbouring site.

“The owner was going to burn them, so we brought a bunch home, pulled the nails out and reclaimed every piece,” says Ferguson.

Then Ferguson and Phillips used the reclaimed wood in a number of ways. On the outside of the CaBIN is an outdoor shower, which required several of the boards, and the same goes for the outdoor lavatory (aka, outhouse). There were additionally many places inside the grain bin where the wood came in useful, like the top floor, veranda wall.

Ferguson decided early on that everything used in the caBIN would be second-hand or repurposed, to help save on costs. They purchased a bunch of tiles from the local dump for five dollars and Ferguson then placed them on top of a bank of cupboards for a countertop. All of the cupboards used in the bin’s kitchen were old ones the couple found in their quonset and repainted. The kitchen sink is an old washbasin that was given to Ferguson from a junk pile – she cleaned it up and once it was installed to a base and hooked to water, the result was perfectly

Everything inside the grain bin home features a pop of red colour.

The front of the CaBIN and the sitting / bar-be-que area.

The CaBIN does not house a fully functional bathroom however, it does offer an outhouse and outdoor shower with hot and cold running water. Inside on the bottom floor is a beautiful, quaint kitchen that offers all the amenities of home.

suited to the western lifestyle space.

At the ground level, the caBIN boasts a kitchen complete with all the amenities like a small stovetop, microwave, coffeemaker, fridge and hot, running water. Ferguson and Phillips have also provided guests with all the dishes, glasses and kitchen utensils they may require for an overnight stay. Beyond the kitchen is a sitting room, complete with a futon chair that converts into a single bed. There is additionally a fireplace – amplifying the serenity of the accommodations.

Outside of the CaBIN to the back, is the outdoor shower. Despite the fact the shower is open to the elements, Ferguson and Phillips ensured it was equipped with hot water. With high walls all around and a soft mat underfoot, guests can ensure the shower is completely private and comfortable.

To the front of the caBIN is a porchlike entity. Here, a bar-be-que exists for cooking, as well as a few lawn chairs for resting and visiting.

As you walk through the front entrance of the CaBIN, a grand entryway of large pine slabs greets guests. Phillips crafted these pieces himself, in the woodmill he has created for himself behind his Mossleigh home. There are additionally little brands in the wood that signify Phillips’ cattle brand, dates in the cement indicating the CaBIN’s completion date and various other creative markings throughout the structure.

The front entrance door was an old door that Ferguson and Phillips also found in their farm quonset. Ferguson had to strip and add many coats of paint to get it to the beautiful state the door is currently in. Then, they inserted heavy plexiglass into the original bin opening (the spot where an auger was positioned to put grain in or bring it out, when the bin was used for farming.) This created a window for the CaBIN, allowing more natural light to come into the tiny home.

Creating the upper level of the CaBIN proved to be more difficult than the foundation and the first floor. Ferguson and Phillips had to precisely measure out the base for a floor, install a secure railing and figure out how to maximize the space up top. They wanted an “open concept” for the entire caBIN.

The couple used slabs of plywood for the floor, but you’d never know it because Ferguson painted them with four different types of paint, to resemble wood flooring. Then they salvaged an antique, double bed frame from the dump and again, Ferguson sanded and repainted it red. Once installed with a new mattress, the result was a perfect fit. The upstairs also has a small dresser and a television.

Originally, Ferguson and Phillips were using a ramp to get up and down between the floors of the CaBIN, but they soon realized their building wouldn’t pass inspection to house guests if they didn’t install a staircase instead. However, the staircase proved to be trickier than everything else. Utilizing long steel pipes, Ferguson and Phillips connected them to wood steps in a spiral staircase formation. This allowed for more storage underneath and helped maximize the space again. The installation of the staircase was difficult because the couple had to secure each step to the metal wall of the grain bin and the whole unit required a custom welding job. Still, they persisted and on June 30, 2021, the CaBIN passed its final inspection and was declared good for future rentals.

“I’m so proud of what we were able to accomplish,” says Ferguson, admitting that neither her nor Phillips realized how much time the project was going to take when they first started out.

“Everything used in the CaBIN was either given to us or found at a secondhand store. All the lights for instance were bought at Habitat for Humanity for a total of $70!” she explains.

“I’m just so happy how it all came together.”

Now Ferguson and Phillips have space for guests and another way to make additional income. On airbandb, the CaBIN’s profile explains that it offers a “unique lodging experience.” And for those who want the tranquility of the country but still have work to do – the CaBIN also now has WiFi. WHR

The spiral staircase that was the last piece of the CaBIN’s puzzle.