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This Just In: Translucent Tool Shed, North Carolina, USA
We take a closer look at the design details of a small, contemporary and multipurpose backyard shed
A smart-looking shed out the back of a stylishly renovated neighbourhood general store in North Carolina, USA, recently caught our attention on Houzz. “It was designed for an owner who frequently hosts outdoor lawn parties and simultaneously wanted the ability to store and fabricate wood-working projects,” says chief architect of the project, John Reese of Reese Atelier. Its translucent exterior beckoned closer inspection and further explanation, so we asked Reese to tell us all about it. See his answers and more images of the project below.
What was the brief for this project?
A secure, no-maintenance, multi-purpose outbuilding to use as a small workshop, tool storage and service cabana for urban lawn parties.
How did you achieve this?
A U-shaped bearing wall structure is sited tight to the rear corner of the urban residential lot and faces an off-street parking drive. A roll-up ‘concessions’ or serving window is punched through the side facing the raised lawn and above the low, retaining wall base. Large sliding doors, suspended from utilitarian barn door hardware, provide flexible accessibility without impeding available off-street parking.
A secure, no-maintenance, multi-purpose outbuilding to use as a small workshop, tool storage and service cabana for urban lawn parties.
How did you achieve this?
A U-shaped bearing wall structure is sited tight to the rear corner of the urban residential lot and faces an off-street parking drive. A roll-up ‘concessions’ or serving window is punched through the side facing the raised lawn and above the low, retaining wall base. Large sliding doors, suspended from utilitarian barn door hardware, provide flexible accessibility without impeding available off-street parking.
What are the materials used; methods of production?
The U-shaped building shell is a concrete masonry unit construction [seen here painted white] and the roof structure is a subtly curved, wood-framed ‘wing’ shape which ‘hovers’ above. The roof material is terne-coated copper [terne is an alloy of tin and zinc] which, due to the shallow curvature, required its standing seam installation to be hand-hammered by a metal artisan. Large sliding doors, one sheathed in plywood and covered with flat-seamed break metal and the other a steel framed, translucent polycarbonate panel, by-pass each other via double-track barn door hardware. An aluminium roll-up door and a cantilevered precast concrete sill infill the concession-type service window facing the lawn and a single row of 20-centimetre glass blocks provides a day-lit clerestory that faces the neighbouring property.
The U-shaped building shell is a concrete masonry unit construction [seen here painted white] and the roof structure is a subtly curved, wood-framed ‘wing’ shape which ‘hovers’ above. The roof material is terne-coated copper [terne is an alloy of tin and zinc] which, due to the shallow curvature, required its standing seam installation to be hand-hammered by a metal artisan. Large sliding doors, one sheathed in plywood and covered with flat-seamed break metal and the other a steel framed, translucent polycarbonate panel, by-pass each other via double-track barn door hardware. An aluminium roll-up door and a cantilevered precast concrete sill infill the concession-type service window facing the lawn and a single row of 20-centimetre glass blocks provides a day-lit clerestory that faces the neighbouring property.
What were the challenges associated with the project?
Firstly, we had to maximise the available opening width of the interior while allowing flexible access to either end. Then we needed to provide full access without compromising the use of the driveway as an off-street parking space. We had to be careful with the structural connections that provide a ‘hovering’ yet waterproof roof, and found a qualified artisan to fabricate and install the low-slope curvature of the standing seam roof. It was also important to provide ample daylight through windows, without compromising security and/or creating unsightly interior views. Finally, we had to maximise the interior height while maintaining a low, neighbour-friendly roof profile.
Firstly, we had to maximise the available opening width of the interior while allowing flexible access to either end. Then we needed to provide full access without compromising the use of the driveway as an off-street parking space. We had to be careful with the structural connections that provide a ‘hovering’ yet waterproof roof, and found a qualified artisan to fabricate and install the low-slope curvature of the standing seam roof. It was also important to provide ample daylight through windows, without compromising security and/or creating unsightly interior views. Finally, we had to maximise the interior height while maintaining a low, neighbour-friendly roof profile.
How does it work now?
By mounting a wire grid to the back of the polycarbonate door, tools are organised in a space-saving display that is shadowed at night-time through the lantern-like panel. The roll-up serving window and concrete sill is especially useful for urban lawn parties. The building is outfitted with a dedicated electrical circuit and water service for bartending.
Any surprises? The entire building can be power-washed to ‘like-new’ condition!
Any secrets or tips discovered or used in the completion of the project? The workable beauty of organised wall-hung storage and strategic use of daylight!
TELL US
Does your home feature a cleverly designed multipurpose shed? Share a photo of it in the Comments section.
MORE
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By mounting a wire grid to the back of the polycarbonate door, tools are organised in a space-saving display that is shadowed at night-time through the lantern-like panel. The roll-up serving window and concrete sill is especially useful for urban lawn parties. The building is outfitted with a dedicated electrical circuit and water service for bartending.
Any surprises? The entire building can be power-washed to ‘like-new’ condition!
Any secrets or tips discovered or used in the completion of the project? The workable beauty of organised wall-hung storage and strategic use of daylight!
TELL US
Does your home feature a cleverly designed multipurpose shed? Share a photo of it in the Comments section.
MORE
World of Design: Inspiring Sheds From Stockholm to Sydney
10 Backyard Sheds With Extra-Special Features
Style USA: Is This the Coolest Garden Shed You’ve Ever Seen?
Project name: ‘Nordon Grocery’, a former general store and meeting hall converted to a single-family residence
The feature we love: A multi-purpose outbuilding used as a backyard tool shed that can double as a cabana. The owner is a wood-working hobbyist who frequently entertains via outdoor lawn parties. The building design is a direct response to how it is used
Architect: John Reese of REESE Atelier PLLC
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
Timeframe: March 2002 – June 2002
Cost: Approximately $10,000 [AUD$14,000] for the shed
See before and after photos of this historic property