Schaefer served an engineer of record for Greenacres Foundation’s historic Nippert Barn repurpose from agriculture use to an event + education center. The existing barn stands two-stories with a loft + partial basement. The above grade structure is wood-framed; the below grade structure is cast-in-place concrete walls. An existing single-story extension building houses a commercial kitchen + experience center.

Schaefer performed a level 1 assessment, visually reviewing the existing conditions for structural distress. The design reinforced the structure for the new occupany load while attending to necessary conditions for a new lateral system, reinforced existing joists + rafters, partially removed existing loft space, and new elevator. Outside, Schaefer collaborated with the team on a new deck + several retaining walls.

Schaefer also served as specialty engineer on the foundation + mezzanine for the new pre-engineered metal building which houses the agriculture resources previously in the Nippert Barn.