Barnes Student Activities Center

Lord Aeck Sargent designed the renovation of Clemson’s Sheep Barn into a student activity center. The Sheep Barn, located on the east side of campus, is a unique wood frame barn with two integrated brick silos. The structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  

The project included extensive repairs and rehabilitation of the exterior and a more modern treatment of the interior. The character-defining features of the barn were identified and carefully restored and incorporated into the design.

The large, open floor plan lends itself to providing a vibrant gathering place for students. Now known as the Barnes Center, the building functions as a gathering place for musical performances, game nights and other student programs. A small food service area was inserted into a corner of the building and two of the silos were converted to cozy private dining areas.

The renovation included structural improvements to the facility, adding mechanical and electrical systems, and upgrading the building envelope to provide a comfortable, energy-efficient environment. A small outbuilding was built adjacent to the Sheep Barn to provide additional storage and mechanical functions, which allowed more space in the barn for program functions.

Practice Areas