Barndominium Design Process

Design Journey with the Trammell Family in Pittsburgh, Kansas

A large, light-colored warehouse with a dark roof is situated on a grassy field under a partly cloudy sky. The building features multiple windows and doors, and the sun casts soft shadows on the grass.

A large brown metal building, measuring 70x110x14, with a peaked roof features a white door and two windows on one side. Ref#80925 marks this structure as it stands on a grassy landscape beneath a cloudy sky.

“Designing your barndominium will include several phases, starting with Worldwide’s 3D design tool. After you submit your custom design for a quote, your Worldwide Building Expert will be available to help you through all the phases of your journey, from preliminary drawings to floor plans and engineering plans.”

A digital rendering of a metal-framed structure on a grassy field, showing its steel framework with a clear sky and clouds in the background. The foreground features a compass rose indicating north.

A digital interface for building dimensions shows settings: width 40 ft, length 30 ft, height 10 ft. The roof type is gabled, roof rise is 4 inches per foot, and secondary members are steel, with options for colors and extensions.

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Front Side

Back Side

Front view of a large beige metal barn with two double doors and a dark roof, set on a lush green lawn under a partly cloudy sky. A directional arrow marked 'N' is on the ground in front of the barn.

A large gray barn stands on a green field under a sky with scattered clouds. Sunlight casts a shadow of the barn on the ground. The scene is serene and expansive.

Worldwide’s 3D design tool is your first step to imagining your new barndominium. It provides you with all the necessary dimensions to be used in your preliminary drawings such as width, length, height, roof type, roof rise and secondary members. You can include all building extensions, porches, overhangs, doors and windows. These elements will determine the location of your columns. You can also select the colors for your roof, walls, trim, soffit and wainscot. Then, submit it to our team for a price quote and move forward with the preliminary drawings.

Left Side

Right Side

A large, simple building with gray exterior and small windows, standing on a grassy field under a blue sky with scattered clouds. The structure has a single door and appears industrial or utilitarian in design.

A large, dark gray metal warehouse with a sloped roof sits on a grassy area. The hybrid building, Ref#81625, features multiple large roll-up doors and a few windows. Measuring 72x96x14, it stands proudly against the partly cloudy sky in the background.

Preliminary Drawings

The Outer Shell

Front End Wall

Blueprint of a building section view showing structural details. Features include labeled dimensions, spacing of supports, and roof trusses. Annotations indicate various measurements. The width spans 60 feet, and section guidelines are visible.

Back End Wall

A 3D rendering showcases a hybrid green and gray metal building, measuring 36x48x12. It features two garage doors, a single entrance door, and two windows. The structure is set against a partly cloudy sky with grass surrounding its base.

Your preliminary drawings from Worldwide will provide the specifics of the ‘outer shell’ of your barndo design. They will also determine your column placement as well as front end walls, rear end walls, right side walls and left side walls.

Left End Wall

Architectural blueprint of a building floor plan, featuring a grid of vertical and horizontal lines with dimensions and annotations. Arrows and symbols indicate measurements and alignment.

Right End Wall

A large, modern metal garage in Watertown features three white doors and a black-trimmed entrance. This classic garage stands on a concrete base next to a paved area, surrounded by lush grass and trees under a cloudy sky.

Steel Column Placement

Your steel columns are the backbone of your barndominium and the trusses will be set on top of those columns. They supersede all aspects of your building design in order to maintain the structural integrity of your barndominium. Your internal design may need to be adjusted accordingly.

When you get to the floor plan phase, the doors and windows of your outer shell will need to coincide with those column placements.

A 3D rendering of a large, rectangular steel building, measuring 40x60x12, with a slanted black roof and gray paneled walls. It features a small white door and two windows on one side, with multiple garage-style doors along the longer side. Set in a grassy area under a cloudy sky. Ref#80922.

PLEASE NOTE: All drawings shown below are not provided by WWSB. Elevations, Floor Plan Details, Layouts, Electrical Plans, 3D Visualizations shown below are not renderings from WWSB but are provided by a 3rd party. In this customer scenario, they are design plans provided by Greg James Designs.

Elevations

The elevations of your property will need to be taken into consideration for proper engineering plans in order to match up with the concrete foundation needed for your building footprint.

Architectural drawing of a building's north elevation with a dark roof, vertical siding, and multiple windows. A door is on the left, and there's a partially visible covered area on the right. Scale noted as 1/4" = 1'.

A 3D rendering of a beige metal building measuring 24x36x10, with a dark brown roof. It features a large, closed gray garage door on one side and several windows along the adjacent wall. The structure labeled Ref#80920 is set on a grassy surface.

Architectural drawing of a building's east elevation with two small windows. The structure has a sloped roof and a protruding section on the left. Text below reads "East Elevation, Scale: 1/4" = 1' ".

Basic Foundation Details

This aspect of your architectural specifications will need to be reviewed and submitted for approval by a certified engineer based on your city code and jurisdiction. Since new construction is a ground up process, it will end up being utilized by your general contractor in order to follow all city guidelines during the entire construction process.

Floor Plan Details

Illustration of a two-story building with a modern design, featuring large windows and a wraparound porch. The structure is set against a backdrop of a blue sky and green lawn.

Todd Trammell and his family hired Greg James to design the floorplan of their barndominium. Their garage/shop area will be as large as the living space along with a second level area utilizing a mezzanine system.

Main Floor Layout

The ground layout of your land and water flow/drainage will be determining factors in your overall foundation and specific building placement on your land. These factors will need to be determined with your home designer. They will need to have this information to incorporate into your design for accurate renderings of your architecture plans.

Blueprint of a house featuring a large garage, master bedroom with en-suite and closet, additional bedroom, bathroom, living area, kitchen with island, laundry, storage areas, and a bonus room. The layout includes dimensions and labels for each space.

Upper Level Layout

Beyond your main level layout, you can add a second floor within the same footprint. It will also require a section for stairs and a separate layout using a mezzanine system to provide the necessary support and strength.

Cross-section architectural drawing of a two-story building showing a stair detail. The image includes various rooms and structural elements, such as walls and a roof. A note at the bottom indicates the scale is 1/4" = 1'.

Basic Electrical Plans

Your architectural design plans need to include a basic electrical plan for all outlets so they can be incorporated in your walls before installation. Your electrician will need a copy of your architectural plans with the engineered drawings in order to install the proper AMPs per room that comply with modern code in your jurisdiction.

Interior view of a partially constructed building with exposed insulation. A ladder is positioned in the center, and a recreational vehicle is parked on the right. The Weaver Family's touch of customization is evident in the visible wooden joists and metal framework of the ceiling.

3D Visualization

With so much demand for Steel Barndominiums, Worldwide has partnered with a seasoned home designer that has over 30 years of experience in architectural design and 3D renderings that provide a realistic view of your new home. Greg James is based in Edmond, Oklahoma and provides extensive knowledge of the home building process and architectural renderings for your barndominium project.

The expansive warehouse, reminiscent of the Weaver Family's legacy, boasts high, sloped ceilings and exposed metal beams. Its polished concrete floor invites endless customization under the glow of both natural and artificial light streaming through large windows and doors.

Our building design experts are available to answer any questions you may have about your building project. Call us at 800-825-0316 or contact us for more information.