In January 2002 we featured the brand new 24x30 two story Gambrel Horse Barn built by Brad & Karen Brown up in Poulsbo, WA. Actually, in this case, it turns out to be more of a "Llama Barn". Brad is a semi-retired real estate broker, property manager and local Rotary Club member and his wife, Karen, is a Kitsap County physical therapy relief receptionist and llama breeder....AKA the "Llama Mama". With the help of Brad's business partner, Phil Rasmussen, and their friend, Gustavo, an attorney from Argentina, they built their llama barn and started the "Morgan Hill Llama Farm".

First they fenced off a portion of their pasture, graded and set forms.

Then poured the foundation and slab.

The lumber was delivered and thoroughly inspected by Sombrieul, She'za Beauty and Moonbeam.

The first wall goes up and is braced in place.

All four walls are framed, lined and plumbed....these guys aren't even gonna wait!

Gustavo hands Brad another 2x12 floor joist while Phil looks on From the ladder.

Gustavo finishes framing-out what will be a small bathroom under the stairs.

Hey, you guys quit goofin' around and get back to work!!

Rather than build the trusses himself, Brad decided to pay a local truss manufacturer to build and deliver the truss pile.

They've hauled up the truss pile, set the first and last truss and framed the end gable walls.

The three of them set all of the trusses is less than a day!

They've installed the 5/8" plywood roof sheeting and a real nice "Arch-80" shingle job..... 1/2" CDX shear panel on the walls.

Just can't wait to get that first truckload of alfalfa up in the loft!

What these guys have done for their siding is absolutely beautiful.....

.....they've taken rough trimmed logs and milled them into one inch thick, random width planks. They nailed up the first layer of planks with a 6" gap between each one, then covered the gap with a second layer of planks to finish it off..... that's nice!! Notice the 10' wide sliding door and the cool "Dutch Door".

With Brad & Karen's beautiful home in the background and "She'za" in the foreground, the new "Llama Barn" has really taken shape.

The addition of the Cupola (with llama weathervane) and the "Morgan Hill Llama Farm" banner over the door completes the project.

Inside, there's plenty of room in the middle bay for their 8x8x8 trailer.....

....and upstairs there's loads of room for hay, and whatever. Notice the plank floor with gaps between the boards for ventilation..... very smart!

Well, there you have it.... Brad & Karen Brown's "Llama Barn". It took them six months of weekend and "after work" time to complete at a total cost of $25K with all the bells and whistles as you see it in the picture. The cost was a little higher than usual with the $6,000 roof, copper gutters and the custom milled pine plank siding but the finished product is worth every penny..... fantastic job!!