The Covid lockdown has brought many challenges to everyone. For Helen Berresford and Andrew German Partners at Sheppard Robson Architects the situation required them to accelerate the build of an insulated shed to house Helens 17 Portfolios of personal artwork and paintings, Andrews surfboards whilst also housing tools and some basic gym equipment required to keep  11 and 15 year old boys active. With the eventual use being artists studio.

On a small urban terrace garden bordering Richmond they have built a “shed” with a birch faced ply interior.

The choice of external materials was a balance between forming a subtle architectural backdrop at the end of the garden with an element of colour created with the pink Trespa bordered windows.

“We reviewed a range of materials from timber to concrete panels. In the end we settled on a black timber that would both contrast with the pink and not dominate the garden in the way in which a natural timber might. The Shou-Sugi-Ban Charred Accoya (Shosai) supplied by Exterior Solutions was an ideal match. Low on maintenance, high on durability and quality with a texture that could not be replicated in any other way”

“You can not adequately explain or see the beauty of the timber burnt texture without seeing products first hand. The sample boxes supplied allowed that essential product selection interface”

“The guidance on specification / installation and fixings by Exterior Solutions was exemplary with a personal approach often missing in business. The careful wrapping of the delivered planks is so indicative of Exterior Solutions attention to detail”