Woodshed

Stillwater, New Jersey 2010

This woodshed was designed as a storage structure for a rural residence where firewood serves as a primary source of heat. For much of residential architectural history, firewood was essential to domestic life, and the woodshed functioned as a critical extension of the house—supporting heating, cooking, and daily survival throughout the winter months. Sized to accommodate approximately four cords of firewood, the shed supports winter-focused use and emphasizes ease of access and proper drying.

Sited as a freestanding outbuilding near the primary residence, the shed is tucked into the wooded edge of the front yard—present and orderly, but deliberately recessive within the landscape. The design is guided by truth in structure and function. A simple gabled roof provides shelter from rain and snow, while the exposed light timber frame performs multiple roles: supporting the roof, containing the stacked firewood, and establishing the shed’s visual order. The open structure promotes natural ventilation, allowing the wood to season properly, and integrates storage for essential tools—peevee, maul, axe, and wedges—within the structural framework.

Drawing on Japanese rural woodsheds, the project references a long tradition of purposeful outbuildings, resulting in a durable, low-maintenance structure that acknowledges the enduring relationship among fuel, shelter, and domestic architecture.