News

Nov 08, 2023

Fabric builds timber and polycarbonate shed that doubles as light sculpture

Timber slats that mimic the surrounding treeline wrap around a shed in Akaroa,

Timber slats that mimic the surrounding treeline wrap around a shed in Akaroa, New Zealand, which was designed by architecture studio Fabric to transform into a light sculpture at night.

Named Nightlight, the 10-square-metre shed is located in a clearing among kānuka trees and is part of a plan to transform the site into a home.

The owners wanted a shed that would provide storage and services for the future house while also creating a glowing structure that can be enjoyed from outdoor lounge spaces.

The shed has a translucent, mono-pitched form made from polycarbonate, which is raised from the sloping ground on concrete piles.

Light from inside the shed radiates through gaps between timber slats that wrap around the exterior.

"Rather than locating this building out of sight like a typical shed or using it only for its services, Nightlight has been reimagined as a light sculpture that will proudly be seen from the future outdoor living space," said Fabric.

"The filtered light seen glowing between the slats at night is a contrasting aesthetic to the minimalist facade seen throughout the day."

Nightlight was designed to be used as a small bathroom, workspace, outdoor kitchen and storage area. It has a toilet and workbench inside the structure and an external shower and sink.

According to Fabric, laminated veneer lumber (LVL) pine was used for the timber slats for its stiffness and straightness, meaning fewer timber members were needed for the shed's construction.

"All battens and slats were carefully lined up with the internal structure and used sparingly to allow a uniform pattern of glow at night," said Fabric.

"This critical geometry and alignment was a constant challenge throughout the build."

The external pine planks and locally sourced macrocarpa wood used for the outdoor decking were silvered to mimic the surrounding kānuka tree trunks.

The timber frame inside the shed has a warmer tone to create a welcoming and inviting space.

Fixings and joins between materials were left exposed, and muted green accents were added to the structure to further blend in with the landscape.

Fabric recently completed a vacation cabin in a coastal village in New Zealand, with large windows framing views of the surrounding rainforest trees.

The photography is by Nancy Zhou.

Our most popular newsletter, formerly known as Dezeen Weekly. Sent every Thursday and featuring a selection of the best reader comments and most talked-about stories. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

Sent every Tuesday and containing a selection of the most important news highlights. Plus occasional updates on Dezeen's services and breaking news.

A daily newsletter containing the latest stories from Dezeen.

Daily updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

Weekly updates on the latest design and architecture vacancies advertised on Dezeen Jobs. Plus occasional news.

News about our Dezeen Awards programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

News from Dezeen Events Guide, a listings guide covering the leading design-related events taking place around the world. Plus occasional updates.

News about our Dezeen Awards China programme, including entry deadlines and announcements. Plus occasional updates.

We will only use your email address to send you the newsletters you have requested. We will never give your details to anyone else without your consent. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link at the bottom of every email, or by emailing us at [email protected].

For more details, please see our privacy notice.

You will shortly receive a welcome email so please check your inbox.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link at the bottom of every newsletter.

Johan Sundberg Arkitektur designs timber barn on a historic ...

McCloy + Muchemwa adds timber-framed "orangery" to renovated ...

Best Practice transforms storage shed into backyard studio ...

New Affiliates' Testbeds project to build community ...

Tractor shed converted into house clad in scorched wood

Richard John Andrews builds garden shed as his own ...

Get inspired to spend time in your garden via our Pinterest ...

Timber shed gives retired couple room to paint, garden and ...

Visit our comments page | Read ourcomments policy