FBi won in the livestock facilities category for its innovative design and construction of the Sur-Real Alpaca site at 1881 W. 161st St. in Westfield, Ind. The two-story structure in Hamilton County measures 40-feet by 80-feet. It was built for Bruce and Alison Van Natta.

“The building uniquely combines a barn for raising alpacas—a side interest for a couple who are both medical professionals—with their own living quarters, all in a single building,” said Brad Cook, the FBi Buildings project sales consultant who worked with the Van Nattas.

The Van Nattas gave up suburban for rural living when the project was completed in June 2004. “We worked extensively with FBi Buildings to design a project that was cost-effective, functional and aesthetically pleasing,” said Bruce Van Natta, M.D., who recently launched the part-time alpaca business. “We enjoyed the building process and we’re now looking forward to developing our alpaca business while literally ‘living in our barn.’”

Features of the award-winning project include a standing seam roof, Hardi-panel and Hardi-plank siding, and Miratec trim. “This gives the structure a barn look with a home’s durability,” Cook said. FBi also creatively altered the facility’s cupolas to accommodate ventilation needs.

FBi Buildings was one of only two winners in Indiana and two in Illinois out of the lineup of 14 recognized for superior projects. “It’s quite an honor overall to be one of the 14, and then especially an honor to win in the livestock facilities category because of the sheer volume of livestock projects built across the country every year,” said Jeff Neihouser, FBi Buildings general manager.

Founded in 1958, FBi Buildings has designed and constructed more than 15,000 pre-engineered agricultural, equine, suburban, commercial, industrial and retail buildings in Indiana and Illinois. It ranks among the Midwest’s top design/build firms, with 290 employees, including engineers, construction professionals, sales staff and support personnel who provide integrated design and construction services.