ProjectManbey Pod
LocationStratford, London
ClientPrivate
Cost£18,000
ContractorAssisted self-build
StatusComplete
A charming and functional multi-purpose garden studio for a family in East London
Manbey Pod is a charming and functional garden studio located in East London, designed to provide a family amenity space, storage area, and textile studio. It was self-built by the clients, Peter and Joan, using our revolutionary U-Build construction system; manufactured off-site as a kit of parts and built by the clients in their garden.
All photos captured by Taran Wilkhu.
This is the first time we’ve handed over the U-Build construction to the clients, Peter and Joan. We asked them to keep a diary to chart their progress – you can read the diary here. We hope this can be a valuable resource for future self-builders, for whatever purpose they wish to use the U-Build system.
Architectural Language, Form and Scale
The simple, yet decorative northern facade of the Manbey Pod presents an aesthetically pleasing bookend to the garden. Behind the charming frontage, a functional space with plenty of natural light is found. The proportions of the glazing relate to the existing garden layout, as well as responding to the attractive Maple tree which sits to the Northeast of the garden. The large fixed window lines up with the existing pathway and the double doors of the main house which sits approximately fifteen metres to the North.
As the pod homes a textiles studio, a particular emphasis has been placed on materiality. The textural timber cladding, made from Western Red Cedar creates an interesting and contextual facade, while hinting towards the creative programme inside. Birch plywood was selected for the internal box faces due to its more uniform appearance when compared to Spruce.
Environmental Design
Further to the innovative low-energy U-Build construction system, natural materials provide a healthy internal air quality, whilst ensuring that the building’s embodied energy requirement is kept to an absolute minimum. The cladding is sourced from UK woodlands and processed by a local sawmill, much reducing the air miles when compared to European or American timber.
Manbey Pod has gifted the family an inspiring additional space where their vocations can flourish. By opting for self-build, the couple enjoyed a hands-on approach to satisfy their creativity while also being an affordable and environmentally friendly approach to construction.
As a practice it was a delight for us to see the client take ownership of the self-build, proving the possibilities of our U-Build system and giving inspiration to future self-builders.
Press
2019 Evening Standard Homes & Property; Shed Office Ideas
