JCPCDR ARCHITECTURE designed a compact backyard studio for a music composer who recently moved into a family house in the countryside. Set apart from the main home, the project focuses on creating a dedicated place for work and rest within a modest footprint.
The brief was to transform an existing tool shed into an intimate, isolated, and fully independent space. The composer wanted somewhere he could work without distraction, while also having a place to step away and relax. Budget constraints were central to the project, shaping both the design approach and material choices from the outset.
A clear commitment was made to using 100 percent ecological materials. Glass panels and steel were salvaged from the remains of a destroyed factory, significantly reducing material costs. Timber was sourced from scraps at the nearest sawmill, selected for availability rather than uniform appearance, reinforcing the project’s low impact approach.
Keeping suppliers close to the site proved essential. Local sourcing helped minimize both costs and carbon footprint, while allowing all components to be cut and assembled on site. This hands on construction process supported a simple structural design and made it possible to deliver the entire studio within a total budget of 10,000 euros.
Despite its small size, the studio was designed to feel quiet and closely connected to its surroundings. The interior prioritizes calm and focus, with proportions and openings carefully considered to avoid any sense of enclosure.
From every position inside, standing, sitting, or lying on the convertible sofa, the studio offers framed views outward. Windows are positioned to look onto the vegetable garden, the nearby 1940s house, and a centennial oak, grounding the workspace in its rural setting.
A triangular window set into one corner of the studio introduces additional natural light. This detail enhances daylight penetration and subtly shifts the interior atmosphere as conditions change throughout the day.
By reusing materials and working within strict limits, JCPCDR ARCHITECTURE turned a simple shed into a focused creative space without unnecessary excess.