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What if Old MacDonald hired a cutting-edge architecture firm to design his farm? That’s the question posed by Montreal studio La SHED. Its concept for a family-owned organic cheese producer in Quebec’s Montérégie region delivers a contemporary cow stable that shifts away from the industrialized metal boxes common in the industry and harkens back to farming’s wholesome roots. While the barn mimics the storybook ideal — complete with a tin roof, natural wood frame and hemlock siding accented by a massive red sliding door — it also presents something considerably more modern. A fully translucent facade pours natural light into the interior (a spacious environment that prioritizes cows’ comfort first and foremost) while also delivering a picturesque reflection of the surrounding rural landscape. The glass wall isn’t the only way to get a look inside. By hosting regular events held under the barn’s overhanging roof, the farm works to cultivate a lasting appreciation for agriculture.

Project A Modern Barn: Au Gré des Champs Location Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Canada Firm La SHED Architecture, Canada Team Sébastien Parent, Yannick Laurin and Renée Mailhot with Olivier Bérard, Anthony Bergoin, Romy Brosseau, Kevyn Durocher, Clément Stoll, Dahlia Marinier-Doucet, Pierre-Alexandre Lemieux, Cédric Langevin and Samuel Guimond Photo Maxime Brouillet

A Modern Barn: Au Gré des Champs

Explore more Award Winners

2017
WinnerSocial Good
Location
Venice, Italy ­
Firm
OPSYS, Toronto, Canada
2020
Award of MeritSocial Good
Location
Los Angeles, U.S.
Firm
Lorcan O’Herlihy Architects, U.S.
2021
Award of MeritTemporary and Experiential Installations
Award of MeritSocial Good
Location
Bogotá, Colombia
Firms
Sociedad Colombiana de Arquitectos (Colombia), TALLER Architects (Colombia) and Colab-19 (Colombia)