Name: Chuck and Jessica
Location: Silver Spring, Maryland
Size: 196 square feet
Years lived in: Completed this year, 2009
Chuck is an architect and furniture designer and Jessica is a painter, so their shed was built out of necessity to provide additional workspace behind their home. Built from the ground up and using many salvaged materials, the shed keeps in line with their philosophy on environmental responsibility. And given Chuck's occupation, it's no surprise their shed won the International Shed of the Year award for 2009.
Built by Chuck himself, the shed's 196 square feet size was dictated by their zoning laws. If they kept the size under 200 square feet, they wouldn't be required to pull permits, which meant a lot less red tape and hassle. And fortunately for Chuck, he was blessed with lots of help from his neighbors and architect friends — if only we were all that lucky!
Some of my favorite elements of the shed are in the details. He often made due with what he had on hand or what materials he could locate; the result was a lesson in creative reuse! The front door was constructed with plumbing pipes, cedar that will weather as it ages, and a contractors lock. Chuck carved out a narrow section in the concrete base and inserted an aluminum channel to help rainwater drain away from the shed. And the joists from the roof were accentuated with nylon webbing. Without a doubt, the plastic light box located on the front of the shed is a hidden gem. The bump-out lends extra space for a closet on the inside, and the plastic at the top allows for a "beacon of light" to shine to the road.
Apartment Therapy Survey:
My/Our style: Environmentally Responsive Design
Inspiration: I am inspired by so much international architecture, but I admire American contributions from Marlon Blackwell, Wes Jones, and the late Samuel Mockbee.
Favorite Element: I like where the 16' horizontal window intersects the change in the horizontal pine siding and the vertical white corrugated plastic siding.
Biggest Challenge: Finding and utilizing rare and oddly dimensioned used building materials.
What Friends Say: All the adjacent neighbors helped build it, so they are happy with the result. My friends are mostly architects so they are my worst critics.
Biggest Embarrassment: Missing a stud while hanging the exterior sheathing and almost shooting my friend with the nail gun during construction.
Proudest DIY: It's got to be the 100% custom 16' long horizontal window with frosted shelving glass from the used section at IKEA.
Biggest Indulgence: Proportionally in price, I am reluctant to say that the rain barrel cost the most.
Best advice: When you get the design done, throw it away and try to redraw it from memory.
Dream source: I wish I could have gotten my hands on some insulated metal panel siding.
Inspiration: Creativity found in mistakes.
Resources: Local lumber yards, labor and reclaimed building material shops. I purchased the rain barrel from Green Source in D.C., Community Forklift for some of the wood and glass, and IKEA was a great source for finding affordable DIY materials (I had a hard time finding reasonably priced frosted glass, so I bought frosted glass shelves from IKEA. The "as is" section is also a great place to search for materials).
Thanks, Chuck and Jessica!
(Images: Kimberly Watson)
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Natural beauty and impressive. I like the art too.
view LoriSF's profile
Love the look. Seems like they could use a few more square feet though.
view anmar's profile
Modern, rustic... I love it. Would love to create a larger version for a weekend home.
view jeffnyc's profile
Cool shed. The doors rock
view Gregorio's profile
Very snazzy. In my area, no building permit is required for outbuildings under 200 sq. ft. (a common regulation in many parts of the country), so the size is about perfect if you want to avoid getting a permit.
view Poster's profile
Great use of meterial! i love the visual impact!
view E.M.H's profile
I'm very impressed that the shed was "built from the ground up." I never would have thought of doing it that way.
view Blandwagon's profile
Really beautiful! Did you use anything as a moisture barrier for the foundation? If so, please describe. Thanks!
view maipop's profile
The slab is reinforced with welded wire mesh and there is a water proof layer of plastic membrane on crushed stone. Chuck
view SCALEhouse's profile
I can do weekend homes too. Shoot me an email to discuss your project. And check out the website: www.scalehousedesign.com
view SCALEhouse's profile
It's beautiful at night too! Chuck, you should put up some of your evening pics.
Just want to say thanks for the shout-out. The Community Forklift is a *nonprofit* thrift store for building materials - i.e. we have no money for advertising. It is incredibly helpful when folks like you are kind enough to spread the word about us.
Thanks!!!
Ruthie at CommunityForklift
P.S. - Blandwagon, I had to laugh when you pointed out the phrase "built from the ground up!" But I don't think Kimber was trying to state the obvious; I think this was referring to the fact that the Chuck & Jessica did not just slap together pre-fabricated parts. As I understand it, they built almost everything from scratch - for example, they didn't buy doors, but actually assembled them out of glass panes and reclaimed floor joists from the Community Forklift.
view RuthieatCommunityForklift's profile
Marvelous!!
view medusa12120's profile
Thanks for featuring us on Apartment Therapy! I have been following the site for years, and am so thrilled to have a piece featured.
* I do believe this calls for a toast of some sort...
Nice article Kimberly! Fabulous work Chuck! Thanks neighbors and friends! Cheers!
view colorhive's profile
I just want to say that Chuck will definitely be involved in the design and build of my wife and I's next home! Also, anybody that digs his work should go ahead and get in touch with him now before there's a huge wait list for his design services.
Also, no hard feeling for almost shooting me in the leg with a nail: )
view Bassplaynmatt's profile
You've done a beautiful job ! very inspiring !
view LupenGrainne's profile
Chuck and Jessica WELL DONE
I live in NW and want a small DIY shed for my yard---as a unique retreat, place to paint etc). Can you help----please!!!
I would love your advice!
Thanks for sharing your masterpeice
view Peter knockstead's profile
What a lovely shed. A few more sq ft and a bathroom, add a bathroom and stick it in the woods - voila my holiday home!
view what's profile
Cool, but I just have to say...this is the size of my apartment. That I live in. For the past 10 years. lol
view pixie95's profile
There is an 'International Shed of the Year' Award???
view apdesigngirl's profile
Love it ...roof windows would have brought it so much more light...
view tigerlilly1073's profile
I like it, but it would have been great to see just one shot from the front with both doors open. All the close up shots were a bit disorienting.
Also, where does all the light come from? It seems airy inside but surely it can't just be that light box and the long window along the side.
view adamliaw's profile
Your favorite element is mine, too. Way to go!
view kushkush's profile
Peter k. We can def. talk NW sheds. Shoot me an email cwitmer@scalehousedesign.com with some specifics!
view SCALEhouse's profile
Lovely shed.
It's "made do" not "made due".
view summerinbrooklyn's profile
I LOVE that painting! It perfectly matches my living room color palette!
view Gilliebean11's profile
Not that this is the place to solicit work, but do you have a website to sell your paintings?
view mlmclarnon's profile
Thanks Gillebean11 & mlmclarnon! It is such a boost of inspiration when people are interested in my paintings. Please visit my website to see additional work, I would love the opportunity to provide a piece for your room. My website is www.colorhive.com ...now I'm off to the shed to paint!
view colorhive's profile