It’s not a Shed…

The ‘not shed’ was built among one of the oldest terraces in Hackney. Both planning permission and listed building consent were won in 2020 followed by a self-led construction. Sitting comfortably at the back of the garden, the ‘not shed’ assumes a worn look with the use of raw materials such as raw steel and natural slate - its cracks and creases reminiscent of worn leather.

An entrance and windows are buried in a recessed portico which offer shelter and create depth through shadow. The truncated pyramidal hut-like roof slopes down to meet the neighbours on either side, while concealing a ceiling space within.

A central sky-light provides a bounty of natural light which moves around the space through the day, somewhat reminiscent of the Parthenon in Rome. Meanwhile the roof structure is retained by means of a continuous tensile steel plate around the perimeter in the same way a wrought iron chain is used around the base of the dome of St. Peters Basilica.

• where - Hackney, London

• client - Timothy Spencer [elfa leather works]

• engineer - Rodrigues Associates

• when - 2020-2022

• why - leather workshop/studio 

• size - 24m2

• how - design & construction