Residential Building Project:
Pole Barn with Living Quarters | A Northwood Retreat Built for Comfort
Merrillan, Wisconsin
Project Overview:
Tucked among the pine forests of northwestern Wisconsin, this pole barn with living quarters offers the perfect balance between comfort and craftsmanship. Designed as both a functional shop and a cozy weekend getaway, it captures the essence of Northwoods living, where mornings start with coffee on the porch and evenings wind down beside a woodstove after a day spent outdoors.
This project highlights Walters Buildings’ ability to deliver a durable, insulated shell for homeowners who want to customize their own interiors, creating a space that feels personal, practical, and uniquely theirs.
The Building:
Measuring 40′ × 56′, this barndominium-style retreat features a 32′ × 28′ shop at the front and full residential quarters at the back. The exterior is defined by its 8′ inset porch, which creates a welcoming covered entry and adds to the building’s classic, cabin-inspired silhouette. Inside, the home includes a master bedroom, guest room, kitchen, living area, and one-and-a-half bathrooms, offering the perfect space for relaxation and hosting.
Walters Buildings provided the concrete, post-frame structure, steel siding, insulation, and overhead doors. Once complete, the homeowners took on the interior themselves, finishing each detail to fit their lifestyle and budget—a true example of collaboration between builder and homeowner.
Custom Features:
- Dual-Purpose Design: Combines a 32′ × 28′ shop with living quarters for seamless work-life balance.
- Inviting Porch: An 8′ inset porch creates a warm welcome and adds to the building’s rustic charm.
- Energy-Efficient Shell: Insulated post-frame construction ensures year-round comfort and lower energy costs.
- Durable Steel Exterior: Weather-resistant, Class 4 hail-impact-rated steel siding and roofing protect against the elements while maintaining timeless appeal.
- Custom Interior Finish: Homeowners completed the living space to reflect their personal taste and use, from cozy cabins to refined retreats.
- Turnkey Construction Support: Walters handled the structure, concrete, insulation, and exterior finishes for a smooth, worry-free build.
Make it Your Own
This project demonstrates how versatile post-frame living can be, whether you dream of a lakeside cabin, a guest retreat, or a combined workshop and home, the design possibilities are endless. Walters Buildings can customize layouts, finishes, and features to match your vision and your land.
Ideal Applications:
- Barndominiums and weekend retreats
- Hobby workshops with integrated living space
- Guest homes or family cabins
- Downsizing and retirement residences
- Multi-purpose rural homes with workspace
Why Walters Buildings:
- Built for Life: Over 65 years of experience creating post-frame homes and retreats designed to last generations.
- Strength You Can See: Every structure is engineered for durability, efficiency, precision and Midwest weather conditions
- Custom Craftsmanship: Personalized layouts, finishes, and details that make each project unique.
- Seamless Process: Local project managers ensure clear communication and hands-on guidance from design to completion.
- Proudly American-Made: Built with American-made steel and products sourced through trusted U.S. partners, ensuring strength, reliability, and consistency in every project.
From the shop floor to the front porch,
Walters Buildings helps homeowners create spaces that work hard, feel welcoming, and reflect their way of life.
