Equestrian architect John Blackburn with an illustration that explains why his unique stable design keeps horses healthier and safer.
Award-Winning Architect John Blackburn Puts Focus On Health & Safety Of Horses By Carrie Wirth and Beth Herman
John Blackburn has spent the past 30 years designing more than 160 horse farms that highlight his unique aesthetic and talent for creating beautiful, functional and sustainable equestrian architecture. His clients have built facilities for racing, polo, hunter/jumpers and Quarter Horses in a variety of climates and evolving site conditions, while his designs have been featured in dozens of equestrian, architectural and luxury lifestyle publications. Blackburn’s approach to equestrian architecture concentrates on the health and safety of the horse. His designs combine the concepts of aerodynamic ventilation, strategic natural light and passive solar heating and cooling to create horse barns ranging from exquisite to functional. “No one would think twice about building a house that brought comfort and protection for its human inhabitants, so why should horses be any different?” Blackburn asked. “Our primary concern should
be the animal’s health and appropriate conditions, which can be compounded when two or more are stabled together.” When designing and building a barn, Blackburn considers natural light and ventilation the two most important elements. “My barns are designed to function throughout the day without the use of artificial lighting, except in enclosed rooms such as a bathroom or laundry,” Blackburn said. “This simple approach can greatly reduce the risk of fatal barn fires.” Blackburn barns feature vented skylights glazed with a translucent polycarbonate panel running the length of the barn. The light source provides a low-cost, shatterproof feature that diffuses the light,
10th Anniversary |wellington the magazine| January 2014
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