Himelright Lodge
AKRON, OHIO
Himelright Lodge is the result of the repurposing of a bank barn built in the early 1800’s. The original timber trusses were repaired and reinforced with steel plates and remain exposed as important architectural elements. The trusses, weathered wood, and the barnstone wall allow visitors to appreciate the historic nature of the space. The new windows and glass entry wall, along with the open framing, let the space feel light and open.
The upper level 2x structural floor planks were removed and salvaged for re-use as interior siding material. The existing exterior siding was left in place as an interior finish and sheathed on the exterior with SIP’s (Structural Insulated Panels). The roof was also covered with SIP’s and a new standing seam metal roof.
Summit Metro Parks purchased the Valley View Golf Club in 2016 (formerly the Himelright farm), a 194-acre property which creates a bridge between other park lands and offers new access to the Cuyahoga River and the Erie Canal Towpath Trail.
The Golf Club used the barn as a club house and for cart storage. The banked earth along the north wall was removed and replaced with a CMU and concrete plank structure, which provided access for golf carts to reach the second floor of the barn. The precast connector structure now houses public restrooms and a catering kitchen along with providing space for roof top HVAC units.
Owner: Summit Metro Parks
Location: 1212 Cuyahoga Street, Akron, OH 44313 (Cascade Valley Metro Park)
Size: 3,500 sf
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