Once a horse barn, the 16' × 19' space is now an all-season gathering place. Part cafe/bar, part grab-and-go, The Barn at Wentworth’s offers food and drink for drained recreationists in the summer (hikers and bikers) and winter (skiers and boarders).

Narrative Environments’ branding pays homage to its original owner. Ernie Lynds built the small building to house two horses. Ernie was a character in the Wentworth Valley, known for buying the latest car every year (though he rarely drove), his love of horses, and scores of barn cats. The equine narrative plays a heavy role in storytelling, informing everything from the logo to the decor. From leather to horseshoe nails, the tack room informed our detailing.

Design, user experience, and functionality were rooted in Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. The client repurposed restaurant equipment from on-site facilities and acquired very little new material. We repurposed storm windows to conceal storage areas, used old ski signs as decorative elements, and repurposed material acquired for COVID-19 operations. Repurposed, recycled, and hand-made materials are used throughout, lending authenticity and minimizing cost and environmental impact. We sought to do “a lot with a little” while preserving the story of a colourful character who built a simple building.