Vance Ehmke
Ever heard of anyone building a house out of a grain bin? That's exactly what my wife, Louise, and I did for our farm and seed business in 2001. While we don't actually live in the bin, it serves as our farm headquarters. We even have guest rooms so that late at night when we're too tired to walk over to the house, we can sleep right here.
We started with a new 42'-diameter grain bin, and then with blueprints from an interior architect, finished the inside. The unique structure has 2,400 square feet of floor space. We're proud to say it's the only grain bin in the county that has heating and air conditioning, computers, phones, runnng water and carpet!
Literally thousands of people - many from around the world - have visited the place, including the governor of Kansas. It has been featured in numerous newspapers and magazines as well as being on radio and TV. It was even a hit on HGTV. Have a look at the pictures below.
Hope you enjoyed the tour!
Thursday, April 30, 2009 10:35 AM by: Anonymous
What about problems with stress from high winds? I'm in Oklahoma, and since your in Kansas, I figure you know what I'm talking about. Empty grain bins can be very unstable in strong winds-they wobble and flex-how did you correct or compensate for that during construction? And has it been an issue since moving in?
Leigh in Norman OK
Sunday, April 26, 2009 9:53 PM by: Anonymous
Amazing! How did you measure and cut the deck planks? That is some precision work. Was a computer involved? Very impressive!
Thursday, April 23, 2009 2:42 AM by: mrfoltz
It's amazing! I agree,,, I'd like to see some of the hand made furniture... I was wondering, what about spray foam for insulation instead? What do you think?
Sunday, March 22, 2009 9:33 PM by: Tim from Iowa
WOW!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008 8:42 PM by: Louise and Vance
We were the contractors. Craftsmen did all the rest. We did the interior design. Vance made 90% of the furniture from corral wood.
Cost? Between a new house and a finished steel Morton office building. 2400 square finished feet. We could not estimate cost today as it was built in 2001. And remember the bin part was up in 3 days. No outside treatments after that. There is 6 inches of cellulose insulation so it's energy efficient.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008 3:36 PM by: Anonymous
Fantastic! Did you do most of the work yourselves and I would love to know the approximate cost
Monday, November 10, 2008 10:01 PM by: Grover Wright
Vance and Louise,
THANK YOU ever so much for the wonderful tour of your "grain bin home!" You are such gratious hosts! May I suggest that you add some detail-type pictures of the fantastic furniture that Vance has made from the posts and barn woods from the surrounding area? I believe that people would love to see the furniture. Again, THANK YOU BOTH!!! It was all amazing, simply amazing! I hope to see you both again very soon.
Cheers, Grover
Sunday, November 09, 2008 12:55 AM by: Ed Kirk-American Eagle Club Tour 11/7/08
Everyone on tour bus enjoyed exploring the Grain Bin Home.Quite unique, modernistic and real KOOL!!!!!
Monday, September 15, 2008 1:32 PM by: Vance Ehmke
Actually one of the best places to be during a thunder storm is in a metal clad building. The metal sheds the electrical charge of lightening just like water. Just don't want to be leaning up against the outside walls during a lightening strike!
Monday, September 15, 2008 9:57 AM by: Anonymous
HOw do you feel in it during thunder storm and bad lightening?
Thursday, September 11, 2008 6:16 PM by: Janice
Just goes to show that anything can be done if you put your mind to it, very nice & what a way to recycle a bin!
Thursday, September 11, 2008 4:21 PM by: JLNmv@aol.com
I am a volunteer at Wildlife Prairie Park near Peoria, Il.
We have three grain bins On the park property to rent out plus four cabooses and a stable. The park has most of the animals native to Illinois in natural settings including wolves. We aren't far from Chicago and get visitors from all over the country. But the grain bins are unique and always cause comments. Air conditioned, heated and comfortable as can be. Not as large as yours tho.
Maureen Norvell
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 8:41 PM by: Louise
At the time it was about $90 a square foot. We were quoted $75 for a finished Morton building but less than new house costs which were $120.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 7:57 PM by: Anonymous
Hey,,Nice Crib...Looks really Kool!!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 6:33 PM by: Anonymous
What was the total finished cost?
