When deciding to build a home pottery studio I started at one end of the spectrum and quickly moved in another direction.
Having a home studio is a dream come true. I didn’t realize it was even possible until I was faced with the loss of my work space. After ruling out our basement and other rental possibilities I realized the benefit of our backyard. We have a small house and a large yard, it was the ideal choice for this studio/shed/space of my own.
Initially I thought of buying a traditional new England shed. Basically, a well-built structure used primarily in the summer months. Once I factored in the cost and of management of all the extras; floor, insolation, electric, I switched gears. Searching online for the ideal potter’s studio I found myself looking at a project in the UK that seemed perfect. I came to understand, an Urban or Modern Shed, would be more to my taste and function. The cost of a finished Urban shed, meant as a 4-season work space, was just right.
After a quick internet search, I found Modern Shed but the long-distance manufacturing too much of an undertaking. Continuing my search, I discovered Urban Shed. Their website allows you to customize many features and use their templet for design.
Urban Shed has a local crew based in Malden, MA. From the very beginning of working with their lead builder Dan the process was fun and collaborative. Dan put me in touch with other Urban Shed customers who opened their spaces or provided extensive images. With a bit of tweaking and incorporating some of the features from the shed in the UK we got to work. I loved the idea of having full vertical windows in the front to compliment the French doors. Windows on each side open to provide additional light and air. A mini split to heat and cool was recommended from the start.
Once I understood the scope of the project we got started. Building the shed is only one element. Having access to electric meant hiring an electrician to upgrade our circuit panel from 100 amps to 200 amp and provide all the interior connections: outlets lighting etc. as well as hiring a landscaper to dig a trench to house the wiring. Each stage has to be complete before the next begins. Coordination is essential and everyone must be flexible. Rain, heat, humidity all play their part in delaying the process.
The most stressful decision had to be choosing a color. I wanted the shed to feel a part of the yard. Settled into the space and yet handsome. I drove Dan a bit crazy sampling all of the possibilities. He was incredibly patient. We found darker colors were better for my taste and the overall aesthetic. Black seems to be a popular choice and I could have worked just fine but the deep blue “inkwell” with “caviar” trim is perfect. It’s rich without being too dark.
Each step can be costly and I am happy to provide those real costs should you need. One of the most important decisions I had to make was regarding access to water. The cost of running plumbing from the house to the shed seemed insurmountable. As I debated all the DYI options I googled pottery sinks and discovered Cink. Cink is a brilliant solution for a pottery studio. A friend had shared this at the very beginning and I thought it was a luxury. I now see it as the most practical solution. Freestanding on wheels recirculating the water and clay waste saved me from shelving the entire project. Not only is Cink a perfect product, it ships on a palate and requires very little effort. Mine sat outside covered in torrential down pours over a few weeks.
Many of the early decisions came quickly. Size 14 x 10, window placement: transom windows above the doors and windows, side windows justified forward and flooring. Placement of the shed was a struggle and took many weeks of debate before making a final and perfect choice. We decided to use the back corner of our yard. The French doors open to a view of the back of our house and parts of our garden. To my great surprise and delight is suits the space so well I feel it was what the yard was missing all along.
A team of landscapers, electricians, builders and a great partner made this dream come true.
Steps
- Finding the builder
- Choosing the size and scale
- Choosing a location
- Choosing the windows and doors
- Hiring an electrician
- Hiring a landscaper
- Setting the foundation
- Building the frame
- Putting up the walls and adding the roof
- Upgrading the electric to accommodate the new building
- Digging the trench
- Laying the pipe and
- Covering the pipe with sand
- Inspecting the pipe
- Filing the trench
- Threading the pipe
- Insulation and dry wall
- Wire the shed
- Paint the interior
- Install the mini split
- Finish the wiring
- Turn on the lights
- Move in
- Links to local resources.
- urban-sheds.com
- Castleeletric.net
- taylorandmurphyenergy.com