A great example of how natural lighting can contribute to that enviable barn environment. This barn also uses recycled wood and rubber brick flooring. Picture taken by Cesar Lujan and provided courtesy of Blackburn Architects, P.C.

As the green building movement grows, houses and office buildings designed using sustainable, environmentally-sensitive principles and practices are becoming increasingly popular.  But did you know people are also designing green horse barns?

I recently spoke with John Blackburn, principal of Blackburn Architects, P.C. and designer of Blackburn Greenbarns®, to learn about the latest in green horse barn design.  With over 25 years of experience designing award-winning, sustainable horse barns, Blackburn and his team are leaders in green barn design.

Sustainable building materials
A cornerstone of the green building movement is the use of sustainable building materials. 
Lumber that has been certified by the Forest Steward Council (FSC) as sustainably-harvested is one example.  Using FSC-certified wood to build your barn helps to ensure the long-term protection of forests worldwide.   Bamboo is another sustainable option.  One of the earth's fastest growing plants, it can easily be grown without the use of fertilizers or pesticides. 
“We've partnered with Lamboo®, a company that specializes in engineered bamboo, for our Blackburn Greenbarns® line,” Blackburn says.  “As far as I know, they are the only company that can manufacture an entire framing system composed of bamboo.  We also use it for floors, finishes, and details in areas like the office or tack room.”

Use of recycled materials also helps to decrease the drain on our natural resources. Recycled rubber stall mats and aisle pavers are becoming more popular, and recycled composite wood can provide a good, sturdy alternative to natural wood or other fencing materials.

Natural light and ventilation
Natural lighting and ventilation “are key to creating that enviable barn environment,” says Blackburn.  “By using passive principles of design, proper airflow and lighting can be achieved naturally, without the need of energy-consuming fans and light bulbs.” 

“To keep both horses and humans healthy, a barn should act as a circulation machine, constantly replacing stale, damp air with fresh, clean air from outside,” notes Blackburn.  A poorly ventilated barn can contribute to high levels of dust and endotoxins in and around stalls, causing respiratory infections in your horse.  Proper ventilation, however, isn't just important for your horse's health.  A recent study by researchers at Tufts University found that  50% of stable workers in New England suffered from respiratory illnesses and concluded that poor air quality in horse barns was likely the culprit. 
 
A barn that uses skylights or clerestory windows can also provide enough natural light that you often won't need to turn on any electric lights during the day.  Reducing your need for electric lights cuts down on your energy costs, and provides an aesthetically-pleasing barn environment. “Our design philosophy, ” says Blackburn, “is that, if given the choice, both horses and humans prefer natural light to electric, so why not incorporate as much natural light as possible?”

Harnessing sun and rain
Horse barns, sheds, and outbuildings are great candidates for renewable energy technologies such as solar panels and solar hot water tanks, which can save you money in the long run.  With so many solar contractors and incentives programs available, solar is becoming a real and affordable option. 

In many areas, both drought and storms are regular problems for horse farms.  Harvesting rainwater through cisterns and other collection systems can help alleviate both problems.  The extra water can be used for irrigating fields and pasture or for watering arenas or compost systems.  Less water runoff will also help cut down on mud and muck.

Blackburn Greenbarns®
Blackburn and his team used these green building principles to develop Blackburn Greenbarns®, a line of pre-designed horse barns created as a more cost-effective alternative to fully custom design.  These barns go beyond typical kits or pole barns with a design that provides aesthetics and functionality while emphasizing the safety and health of horses, humans, and the environment.  They are naturally lit and ventilated, use low VOC paints and finishes, recycled materials, and FSC-certified lumber.  They also offer additional green add-ons, such as solar panels, rainwater collection systems, and solar hot water tanks.

This shedrow style barn uses light colored, reflective roofing, recycled content concrete blocks, and is naturally lit and ventilated. Picture taken by Cesar Lujan and provided courtesy of Blackburn Architects, P.C.

To learn more about Blackburn Greenbarns® visit http://www.blackburngreenbarns.com.

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Clay Nelson is co-developer of Sustainable Stables, an organization of environmental and equestrian professionals that conducts research and provides information and consulting on eco-friendly horsekeeping. Visit Sustainable Stables online at www.sustainablestables.com or email Clay at clay@sustainablestables.com.

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