Twelve by Twelve: shed-book project

Friend of Shedworking Simon Draper from Habitat for Artists has been in touch to tell us about a fascinating new project
with William Powers, author of the excellent Twelve by Twelve book (do buy it - it's the story of William's decision to live in a 12ft by 12ft cabin off the grid in America to find a meaningful life with a smaller footprint).

"I have been working with a group of artists, collaborating with author William Powers on the topic of Sustainable Practice," writes Simon, "working around ideas based on some of his experience living in a small cabin down south. We 're hoping to build the project in a NYC park around June, most likely Prospect Park Brooklyn NY.

"The structure will be based on the idea of a book, parts folding out, content able to change with additional ideas, the space will act as an engagement with the public by different groups on a series of topics from alternate power, off grid loos, hydro fracking, food, water issues, climate."

We'll bring you more information in the coming weeks.
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A shedworking day in 15 seconds

Starring a BillyOh Pathfinder 'Sportsman' Log Cabin from Garden Buildings Direct.
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OfficePOD at the Chelsea Flower Show 2011

And yet more garden offices at Chelsea... take a gander at the OfficePOD and chat with the OfficePOD folk at Chelsea later this month as they will be at the Hillier Landscapes display.
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Shipping container garden office at Chelsea Flower Show

It's turning into a bit of a bumper year for garden offices at Chelsea Flower Show 2011. Last week we looked at Marney Hall's and Phil Game's splendid creation and here is another great shedworking build which we looked at back in March, a garden office from Green Roof Shelters (being lifted into place in the video above - note the green roof).

The garden office - with habitat walls - has been built using a refurbished shipping container and is part of the RBC New Wild Garden designed by Nigel Dunnett (apparently the first full-size rain garden at a Chelsea Flower Show). Here's what the RHS says about it:

"The garden combines ecological awareness with an artistic and sculptural use of materials, and the theme of sustainability runs through the design. Reflective pools capture rainwater and sculptural dry stone walls present ever-changing views. The garden takes inspiration from the planting ideas of Victorian horticulturist William Robinson and a fresh look at the quality and craftsmanship of the Arts and Crafts movement to create this forward-looking wild garden."

Pictured below is a sketch of how it should look when completed.

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Commuting: what is it costing you?

Another great infographic from Love/Hate Travel. We particularly like the stat that 61% of communters would spend more time with family or exercising if they worked from home. Click on the image to see it at a more readable size.
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Dogs need sheds too

Readers will remember David van Alphen's rather nice Modern Shed build featured on Shedworking in 2010. Now he's built one for his dog. "Hopper has been very jealous that he can't get into the new studio," he says, "so I built a mini version just for him!" See here for more photos of the construction.

Via dog milk
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Innocent Oils: shedworkers

Helen James runs Innocent Oils from a purpose-built garden office in Ipswich: the company aims to create "the very best botanical skin care using the finest raw ingredients nature has to offer" using organic ingredients, sourced from small producers, and with a particular fondness for 100% Hemp Seed Oil, vegan skin care products and gluten/wheat-free play dough. Here's what Helen says about her new garden office:

"Since moving in just recently it has been a joy to walk to work about 100 feet from home and come snow, rain, or shine, my coffee breaks have been enjoyed on the veranda. Listening to the birds tweeting in the garden, and the radio chattering away in the background to keep me company. It's been a year of hard work and blisters to get to this, but the effort has been worth every plaster, and sore finger without a shadow of a doubt."

Click the slideshow image above for a look at how it was all built.

You can read a nice interview with her in the East Anglian Daily Times and find them on Twitter too.
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