This project was to form a new studio space for an artist in their existing old garage to the side of the house. We repurposed the existing garage, infilled a new floor and the old garage door and fully insulated and improved the interior. The project then became about the front elevation cladding, this becoming an abstract frontage, separated from the building like Buster Keaton’s 1928 film Steamboat Bill, Jr.

We wanted to build in timber and decided on Siberian Larch, setting up a rhythm of timber fins and horizontal cladding. Compositionally arranging a window, a garden gate, a base and top band detail with varying fin centres.

The cladding installation was detailed and made by a brilliant shop joiner, Andrew Macdonald. Timber supplied by our favourite cladding supplier Russwood.

2022 Commendation, EAA Small Project Award