Ode to the Aussie Shed

There’s no doubt Aussies are a hardworking bunch. Whether you are kid wrangling or organising corporate takeovers, there’s nothing quite like a long cool drink and relaxing in your own happy place when the day is done. Creating a space to call your own is important. Whether it’s a custom-designed shed, a pool room to playfully hustle your friends or a family games room to make lasting memories, the choice is yours. Australians love creating warm intimate spaces at home that are a unique reflection of who they are.

The man cave

The traditional man cave has come a long way from the classic shed, where you’d find lads with their heads under the bonnet of a car, cold brew in hand. Classic man caves are filled with memorabilia, treasures sourced from far-away places, and often a collection of beer, wine and spirit paraphernalia.

Paul Uhlmann from Paul Uhlmann Architects says the modern man cave is more unique, and is often designed with flexibility in mind. “The man cave has a practical use that can be many things. What’s important is a sense of separation from what’s going on in the main house,” he says. In a traditional man cave, there are usually a few standard inclusions such as the big-screen TV, a quality sound system, game controls, as well as a comfy couch to put your feet up on, and side tables for drinks and snacks while you and the gang watch the big game.

The modern man cave style and design are driven by the passions of those who live there. It can be anything you want it to be, including a gym room, a pool room or a room to house a car collection.

The she shed

Who says blokes should have all the fun? The she shed is a place for the gals to gather and spend time in their own private space. Like the man cave, it’s traditionally separate from the rest of the house. A she shed is somewhere you can curl up in a sunny corner with a favourite book, get crafty and unleash your artistic side, or even host a cocktail night or two with your friends. It’s all about having some much-needed me time, either with your friends or solo, a respite from busy day-to-day life.

You might love a bit of bling and have a beautiful chandelier as a focal point, some comfy chairs or a chaise lounge. Perhaps your she shed is a little more understated — an artist studio that captures beautiful natural lighting or a simple place to indulge your hobbies.

Family spaces you’ll love

Watching the footy final on the big screen with the gang, or catching the latest action movie together are great ways to make family memories at home. Sheds and games rooms are all about bringing people together, and that’s one of the reasons why architect Paul Uhlmann says family zones like these are pretty special. “The main house has larger spaces and people tend to spread out, but a shed or area like that which the family can enjoy brings them all together,” he says. “It’s a bit like going on holiday and staying in a cabin — everyone’s together and hangs out more.”

One of the popular inclusions in a family games room is of course a pool table, but according to architect Taras Wolf, most people tend to underestimate how much space you will need around it. “We normally try to make spaces double up so they aren’t serving just a singular purpose,” he explains. The pool table might be in the same room as a TV room. To accommodate that, Taras says you need to be innovative. “You might have the pool table come out of the ground or a table tennis table lower down from the ceiling.”

Positioning of a games room is also important. Taras suggests games rooms are best placed in close proximity to an exterior green space. “On warm sunny days you can open up the area and feel as though you’re connected to the outdoors,” he adds.

The basement bar

This is the definition of urban cool. Pull up a bar stool and enjoy calming tunes and a funky vibe that feels like you’re in an exclusive underground bar — but it’s your place, your rules. Taras says with a basement bar, location is key. “It needs to be near the kitchen so you can easily grab snacks and food, and also close to living spaces but far removed from bedrooms,” he advises.

Creating the right warm and cosy ambience in the basement is what sets the scene. And it’s an important factor as traditionally basements are often wet, cold spaces. “It’s expensive to create a dry basement — you need to ensure groundwater seepage doesn’t come through and waterproofing can substantially increase the budget,” he says. To create an inviting space, adding adequate natural light and air is also vital.

The backyard studio

Since the arrival of COVID-19, more and more Australians are working from home. The humble home office has been given a brisque and innovative makeover and more backyard studios are also popping up all over the place. Taras says for some occupations, the backyard studio is a great alternative. “If you work in massage therapy, physiotherapy or even dance, the backyard studio is ideal,” he says. And if need be, the backyard studio can serve another function — to be used for quarantine purposes.

Just like games rooms that offer flexibility, so too should your backyard studio. It should also ideally be far more than somewhere to hang out and work or play. Paul suggests that rather than just be a shed-like building, the backyard studio needs to be habitable. “It could have amenities such as a kitchenette and a bathroom so it’s self-contained,” he says.

Building these features and amenities in the construction phase of the project is always a good idea. It will cost you far less than retrofitting them later on.

Designing a man cave, she shed or studio

A shed or studio should flow with the home so it doesn’t stick out. Taras says he prefers the backyard studio to speak the same language as the house. “It doesn’t have to be connected or look like an extension, but the position, shape and the materials used need to be sympathetic to the house,” he says. For example, if your home has brick, render or timber, those could also be represented in the studio. Similarly, you should also be able to see the studio from the house — “even if it’s just a glimpse or a shadow”, says Taras.

Paul agrees your shed or studio doesn’t have to look like a cookie-cutter version of the home, but there needs to be a respectful nod between the two. “I think you do need to reference it to some degree,” he explains. “On one of our projects, the house has a parapet roof detail and we took the same roof detail to the shed,” he says.

When designing a studio or shed, look at the big picture and view it holistically. That’s Paul’s advice. “Designing a shed isn’t just about solving problems such as aspect, view and privacy — it’s an opportunity to take it one step further,” he says. This means designing a series of spaces between the shed and the home. Your journey to the new studio or shed from the main residence could take you past sculpted gardens or winding pathways that offer green spaces for retreat and relaxation. A bench under a shady tree or a water feature along the pathway can evoke a sense of quiet and calm. Or perhaps there’s a child’s play space, a spot for your playful pooch or a firepit.

Paul says it’s an important aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked. “A secondary building does provide you with an opportunity to create a fantastic space in between,” he says. “Basically you can get double bang for your buck, rather than just think ‘I’ll stick a shed in the backyard.’”

Article Featured in The Grand Designs Australia Magazine Issue 10.3