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Date of Award

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Architecture

College

Arts and Sciences

Department

Architecture

Faculty Advisor

Charlott Greub

Studio Coordinator

Stephen Wischer

Faculty Chair

Susan Kliman

Publisher

North Dakota State University

Rights

NDSU policy 190.6.2

URI

https://www.ndsu.edu/fileadmin/policy/190.pdf

Abstract

Across rural landscapes, agricultural buildings are increasingly left vacant as farming practices evolve, while a growing senior population remains in homes ill-equipped to support aging, often facing challenges with daily needs, health, and social connection as younger generations leave for urban areas. These underutilized farmsteads present an opportunity to support multigenerational living through the reuse of existing structures, allowing families to remain rooted while adapting to changing needs. This thesis explores how rethinking agricultural buildings can sustain social and physical continuity, drawing on research into adaptive reuse, aging in place, multigenerational households, and rural living. It proposes design strategies on a farmstead near Oriska, North Dakota, including accessibility updates to the farmhouse, a connected home for a younger generation, and renovation of the barn to support family gatherings. Together, these interventions establish a multigenerational framework that supports aging in place, informal caregiving, and long-term adaptability across similar rural contexts.

Re-Barn: Adaptive Barn Reuse as a Model for Aging in Place and Multigenerational Living on a Rural North Dakota Farmstead

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