My brother went to Russia and Siberia several years
ago when in grad school. He said it was pretty common over there for the
family to live above the barn. The body heat of the animals help to warm
the house above. Makes sense, but living in Texas, I wouldn't want my
house any warmer than it already gets (except on days like today when we're
coated in ice)!
I have a very old photo of the brick house/barn in Germany where my
great grandma grew up. (mid to late 1800s) The live stock was on one side, the
family was on the other side, and the hay was stored on top. Whoops,
that is thatch on top.
