Firewood Shelter

Even a simple structure like a woodshed can benefit from architectural consideration. Proportion, rhythm, stance; there’s no reason we can’t employ the same ideas in something so utilitarian as we do in our more ‘important’ structures. This was a Father’s Day present, designed by me and built with the help of my Dad and Sister. There we are in one of the photos, proudly modelling our finished product. Not pictured, but equally involved as site supervisor and photographer is my Mom. Aside from the obvious need to find a better way to store firewood and make for a better journey to and from the woodpile, often at night, I feel that I benefit greatly from the process of actually constructing something I’ve designed. I try as much as I can while designing, to go through the steps in my mind to actually build the thing. I try to put myself in the position of the worker tasked with putting it all together, and make every attempt to make that task as easy as possible to accomplish. I’m not just trying to make their life easier. If it’s easier to build, there’s less likelihood of mistakes and eventual failure. I take advice whenever I can when talking to carpenters, etc. but there’s no substitute for occasionally being the guy that actually swings the hammer.