Since the beginning of the shed journey, I always had a few design goals. As I’ve slowed down and started building it myself, it’s allowed me to study and determine its architectural program—the requirements, needs, and wants of the space—which ultimately shapes what this studio will become.

Here is each design goal (not necessarily in priority order)

1. Work Space. This is where I do my primary work – answering emails, taking calls, working on computer projects.
2. Maker Space. This is a space which can be easily kept in a messy state. I hope to have a 3D printer here and other miscellaneous materials and supplies. The idea is to have dedicated ‘work in progress’ space, where materials don’t have to be cleaned up and put away every time I’m finished working or have to hop on a call.
3. Music Space. The studio must house instruments and create space for me to play and make music. This includes at least 2 guitars and a cello, but the real dream is to be able to have a drum kit again.
4. Storage. In addition to musical instruments, part of the shed simply has to house my creative materials → cables, cases, mounting hardware, boxes, and really anything that comes as a natural byproduct of creative output.
5. Creative Inspiration. Not only does this space need to have storage, and functional space, it needs to have an aesthetic which inspires me to create. This means literally creating an atmosphere of lightness and spaciousness to help me clear my head and feel freedom to explore my creativity.
6. Movement & mobility. After having kids, I’ve paid a lot more attention to my mobility and sought to have a life more rich in regular movement. This started with things like switching to barefoot shoes, but I’ve always imagined this studio to have space for floor sitting at my desk, specifically with a floor-sit-to-stand desk. I also want to have some floor space to do basic strength training and light cardio. I don’t want this space becoming an office where I churn for multiple hours a day, I want it to be a sanctuary which beckons me to create. To do that, it has to keep me moving.

My favorite part of having these goals is how they work together. For example, while I need to have storage, my desire for creative inspiration means I’m not going to just have wire shelves everywhere – there’s nuance to how I’ll store some items openly, where other items might get hidden behind a panel to help foster the sense of spaciousness.