The Light Shed is a garden studio for Richard John Andrews' practice

Sep 21, 2023

Architect Richard John Andrews has built The Light Shed, a fibreglass-clad multi-functional shed in his east London garden to house his architecture studio.

Named The Light Shed on account of its translucent polycarbonate roof, the 12-metre-square studio was constructed by Andrews and an assistant in just 21 days.

A timber frame forms the main structure of the gabled shed, which is clad with black corrugated fibreglass panels and lined internally with plywood.

Materials were chosen to be lightweight in order to simplify on-site construction. The design is also modular, in order to be brought onto site through a recently completed, cork-clad extension to the main house.

"By adopting hardwearing, malleable materials I have reaffirmed the possibility of employing a maker's approach to small-scale architectural endeavours," said Andrews.

The polycarbonate roof was introduced to take advantage of sunlight in the south-facing garden, transforming it into diffuse, ambient light rather than harsh, direct light and lending itself to activities such as model making.

Opening out onto the garden with sliding doors, the shed provides desk space for two to three people.

It can also be used for a wide range of activities that allows Andrews to blend family life with collaborative working.

"The studio aims to create a flexible approach to work and play, flipping its function to become an entertaining space for summer gatherings and more intimate functions," said Andrews.

"The Light Shed offers a superior solution to the common garden shed or summer house, at a similar cost."

The studio's plan is divided into an area for work stations, plus a toilet, sofa bed and storage closet.

At the front of the shed a small cork seating area sits alongside planters, creating a loose threshold with the garden.

"The project has been a refreshing reminder of what can be achieved when scale and budget are limited," said Andrews.

Andrews established his architecture and design studio in 2017, having studied at the Canterbury School of Architecture.

A similar project was recently completed by practice Silver & Co, who transformed a garden shed into a zinc-clad artists' studio for a couple in west London.

Photography is by Chris Snook.

Project credits:

Design team: Richard John AndrewsStructural engineer: Structure Workshop

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