A visit to Surman Weston reveals a delightful small writer’s shed situated in the heart of London.
Surman Weston has indicated their firm was “…commissioned by an author and illustrator to design & build a ‘writer’s shed’ in the borough of Hackney. Capitalizing on their multi-disciplinary backgrounds the firm acted as designers, project managers, and lead contractors.”
Simply take a step inside to get the feel of this tiny space. The result inspires one to hide inside, lock the door, and set to reading a good book, which seems to be precisely what the goal of the owner happened to be.
Surman Weston is an architecture & design studio established by Tom Surman and Percy Weston. They state, “A strong emphasis is placed on innovative construction techniques to produce out of the ordinary architecture.”
As for specifics, the designers say the inner facade of this Writer’s Shed is shingle-clad with a glazed sliding door that opens out to a covered veranda facing back towards the house. A cedar screen fronts the veranda and gaps between the narrow slats allow light to shine out at night.
Architect’s perspective
“We were commissioned by an author and illustrator to design & build a ’Writer’s Shed’. Capitalising on our multi-disciplinary backgrounds, we acted as designers, project managers, and lead contractors.
“The design responds to the client’s passion for children’s literature and mythologies. The space is conceived as a haven in the city; a fairy-tale hut at the bottom of the garden where the client can retreat and immerse himself in his work.
“Externally, the glowing cedar facade, shingle cladding, log store and chimney all play a part in creating this world. Inside, a large north-facing skylight floods the workspace with natural light. On the gable wall, a bookcase meanders around the wood burning stove, providing a centre piece for the client to store his library of books. Looking back out over the garden, the glazed sliding door gives onto a covered verandah – a space perfect to enjoy the very worst of the British weather.”
While the author and owner of this shed remains unnamed, I sense the work emerging from this shed might bear some sort of magic in the words and illustrations. Lucky the child who discovers the next work from this anonymous person and the fruits born to which this haven has been privy.
Source: Dezeen
Images via Surman Weston
