Situated in a domestic garden in Hackney, the ‘shed’ acts as a workspace and studio for the clients. Built to a limited budget and timescale, the simple aesthetic of the materials is celebrated to create a functional and warm urban haven. Oak framed full-height doors are completely retractable and allow for a clear view of the garden. A library, situated within the structural members, maximises the usable floor area, and a ‘hidden’ rooflight at the rear of the space playfully frames an unexpected glimpse of the sky.The materials used have been chosen to enforce a sustainable attitude to design. The sheet and rough-sawn timber was sourced from timber merchants who commit to sourcing wood responsibly and from sustainable sources. The design was developed as much as possible to follow the modular sizes of the sheet timber, so as to minimise cutting, and therefore waste, during the construction period. The high insulation levels of ‘The Shed’ allow for low energy costs throughout its lifetime of use as a studio and office space for many years to come.