Broodmare Barn

One of the main challenges in realizing the foundation’s vision was converting the historic barn, originally designed by New York architectural firm Cross and Sons in 1949, into attractive hotel suites with modern amenities. While the exterior facade was to be preserved in its original form as envisioned by Mr. Mellon, the interior needed to be revamped to accommodate comfortable hotel-style rooms for visiting scholars, along with meeting ADA requirements.

Working in close collaboration with the Architect and the President of the Oak Spring Garden Foundation, our Design and Building teams embarked on the transformative journey of converting the existing stables into inviting and functional spaces.

To preserve the spirit of the Mellon estate, our Design and Building teams ensured that all flooring, wainscoting, and significant millwork were fabricated using timber grown on Oak Spring Farm, including maple, oak, walnut, and poplar. The team also crafted desks within each room using wood harvested from the estate and custom blankets which mimicked the horse blankets once used in the barn. By incorporating these elements, the rooms seamlessly blended with the historic character of the property.

The transformation of the barn into hotel-style rooms provided an opportunity to incorporate sustainable building practices. Geothermal wells were drilled to provide energy-efficient and low-impact heating and cooling. The implementation of insulated and sealed ductwork, icynene insulation in walls and attic areas, and R6 insulation in ground-level floors further ensured energy efficiency. High-efficiency advanced low-e glass windows, low-water toilets, and low-pressure showers were also installed to promote sustainability.