A living room with blue sofa and patterned rug.

As for the property’s past, Michael Northrup said, “I love living near structures with tangible human history. I respect this building for withstanding the winds, protecting the fruit that passed through and the many people who worked here. There are recipes, drawings and even romantic scribbles on the plywood walls. It’s an endless discovery.”

A kitchen with black counters and appliances and white walls.

Northrup’s new home is separate from the existing barn structure. Part of the old warehouse was removed to create a more cohesive design. Best Practice Architecture intentionally used rugged, low-maintenance building materials so the structures can withstand the heat and wind during summer. Concrete blocks, fiberglass windows, corrugated metal siding and plywood interiors contribute to the durable build.

A bedroom with white walls and a blue bed.

The home has a covered patio where inhabitants can enjoy the orchard views. On the upper floor, a large living area offers views of the countryside and the old warehouse, a feature of the property that Northrup loves. The south and west side of the house have peek-a-boo windows that provide privacy and limit solar gain during the hot summer months.

+ Best Practice Architecture

Photography by Rafael Soldi