Location: Auburn, Illinois
Year Built: 2025
This 40' x 66' pole barn workshop brings together everyday utility and refined outdoor comfort in a single, cohesive design. Built by our trusted Illinois dealer, Cornerstone Construction, the 40′ × 66′ structure was tailored around two priorities: efficient access and workflow at the front, and a calm, sheltered porch experience facing their backyard at the rear. With a red exterior, bronze trim, a cedar gable entry porch, and twin cupolas, the building presents a classic profile while delivering the durability and low maintenance expected from a Walters post‑frame shell.
At the driveway approach, two overhead doors serve the main workshop and garage functions. This orientation shortens daily travel paths, simplifies equipment moves, and keeps the functional zone precisely where it needs to be—up front. The cedar gable porch frames the entry and protects the threshold, while the 6/12 main roof pitch provides balanced proportions and reliable drainage. Materials were chosen for longevity and value: JWS steel panels, engineered lumber, and precision bent trim, all working together to reduce upkeep over time.
Around back, the character changes by design. An 8′ × 32′ covered porch with a 4/12 pitch looks into the backyard orchard, turning the rear elevation into a quiet retreat. The depth of the porch is intentional: eight feet offers comfortable circulation around furniture without feeling tight, so the space can handle morning coffee, evening conversations, or a simple cooldown after shop work—without sacrificing circulation to the door. Because the porch is fully integrated into the building footprint, it inherits the same structural discipline and weather protection as the rest of the shell.
Highlights
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40′ × 66′ footprint; 12.5′ eave height
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Main roof: 6/12 pitch; rear porch roof: 4/12 pitch
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Red steel siding with bronze trim for a timeless, low‑maintenance exterior
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Cedar gable front porch for covered entry and architectural warmth
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Two overhead doors in front for daily workshop/garage access
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One overhead door at the rear for flexible movement to the backyard side
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Twin cupolas accenting the roofline and reinforcing the barn aesthetic
Craftsmanship by Cornerstone Construction
Execution matters as much as design. Cornerstone Construction’s field team delivered tight lines, clean trim intersections, and consistent porch detailing—all of which show in the finished product. Their familiarity with Walters’ engineered packages ensures the structure performs the way it was drawn, from fastening schedules to weather details. To discuss a similar build in Illinois, contact Cornerstone Construction.
Built for Today—and For What’s Next
Walters Buildings has specialized in custom post‑frame solutions for over 65 years. This project demonstrates how a purpose‑built shell can solve two very different needs within one footprint: productivity where you need it, and a relaxing porch retreat where you’ll use it. If you’re planning a workshop that works hard during the week and helps you slow down on the weekend, this 40′ × 66′ layout is a proven template to start from.
