(RE)PURPOSED: Northwest Barn Wood – The KAOS Building Project
September 29, 2015 barnwood siding / interior design / reclaimed lumber / reclaimed wood siding / restaurant decor
If you’ve ever eaten at The Barberry or 1882 Grille in McMinnville, Oregon then you had the opportunity to dine in a new restaurant that holds decades of history. “How is this possible?” you may ask. The 3rd Street McMinnville KAOS building that houses these two restaurants, as well as a wine tasting room, includes hundreds of pieces of reclaimed timber. Timber that has experienced weathering and age that goes beyond its surface.
Most of the reclaimed wood throughout the KAOS building was northwest barn wood from various deconstruction projects. One of these barns used to stand right here in McMinnville on Riverside Drive. After 6 weeks of intensive labor, our team deconstructed this barn and milled the wood to get it ready for the KAOS building project. (For details on this deconstruction process visit Part 1 of the KAOS Building Project series.)
The Riverside barnwood provided much of the timber for this project. The barn siding was reused in the interior of the building for panelling on the walls of The Barberry and Oregon Wine Village on the first floor. The rafters from the barn were sliced into what is now the exterior siding of the upper portion of the building.
Upstairs, the 1882 Grille features lumber from another barn. The beautiful mantel next to the wood burning pizza oven comes from a barn that once stood in St. Paul, Oregon. Some other repurposed wood used throughout this build comes from the McMinnville Glass Shop that KAOS replaced. When the glass shop was torn down, Bob Emrick, the owner of KAOS, was thinking ahead.
Much of the material including the wood and corrugated metal from the glass shop was salvaged in order to reuse it in the KAOS building, preserving the history of the site for many years to come. This material is now creating a rustic atmosphere around The Barberry bar area on the first floor.
By repurposing old wood throughout the building, KAOS captures and preserves the history of local landmarks. From the McMinnville Glass Shop to barns around the Pacific Northwest, local history is subtly making an appearance to each customer who walks into KAOS. The reclaimed wood in these restaurants creates an atmosphere that is especially warm and welcoming in a new building.
Next time you visit KAOS, take a moment to notice the wood around you. The table you’re sitting at, the wall behind you, the cabinet holding wine glasses or the decor along the bar may all be telling a slightly different story. The texture and marks on each board may vary slightly or by a great deal from its neighbor. Can you tell?
*Stay tuned for part three of The KAOS Building Project. If you missed part one, check it out!