The Barn : Silent Spaces

The barn is a unique architectural form - simple, spacious, harmonious, its origins going back many hundreds of years to pre-medieval Europe. Through the centuries, it has been a multifunctional and versatile building, used as a storehouse, meeting hall, place of worship and even dwelling place. Filled photographs, this is a record of the history and development of the aisled barn - the result of Malcolm Kirk's long search back into its past. He has travelled all over Europe and America, recording some of the oldest and most beautiful barns that still exist today - some dating back as far as the 12th century. He traces the origins of the aisled barn back even further to the Roman basilica, and then describes how the style spread throughout Europe in its many forms - the monastic tithe barns of medieval Europe; the 12th century urban market halls in France; rural manor halls in England - finally arriving at the vast barns built in Colonial America. Throughout, his images of these ancient buildings are complemented by plans and elevations as well as documentary images from medieval manuscripts and 19th-century prints.