Building a barn isn’t something I get to do every day, so when the opportunity arose, I was immediately excited by the challenge. I found myself constantly thinking through each step, focused on approaching it with safety and efficiency. As the project took shape, I couldn't help but feel a sense of connection to the Amish barn builders of the past—though we had the advantage of a tele-handler and large electric saws. 

Like most of our projects, this one began with an extensive design process. What started as a simple shed concept quickly transformed into the vision of a timber-frame barn. With the homeowner’s ideas coming together, the project plans were finalized, and we were eager to bring them to life. 

A key part of the barn included four pre-cut bents from Legacy Post & Beam in Nebraska, which were assembled at their site, disassembled, and shipped along with the raw lumber package. Working with large, rough-sawn lumber and saws that took two hands to handle was a blast. We take great pride in our work, using laser levels for precision, plenty of screws to keep everything tight, and flashing to protect the wood from Iowa’s unpredictable weather. 

While the work was demanding, we also found joy in the simple moments—soaking in the sunshine and watching the stunning sunrises that our Creator painted across the sky. From start to finish, it was an incredibly rewarding experience.