The Eton Accessory building sits amongst a gnarly row of alley structures of varying vintages; old stucco garages, laneway homes and garden sheds. It stands out and invites curiosity from the neighbourhood – what is it used for? What is it made of?
This 100% wood structure is a testament that no project is too small for prefabrication, its design born out of a strong desire to work with cross laminated timber – to better understand its properties as well as the efficiencies of its assembly on a project of a very small scale. Designed as a kit of parts, the structure is entirely made of 3 ply CLT with large cedar framed openings at both ends. Skylights and windows are strategically cut in to allow daylight into the woody interior with open views back towards the yard and garden. Only 15’x22’ in stature, the vaulted space is designed to alternate between a fabrication studio for the owner's industrial bag and belt fabrication company "REFIRE" and an actual garage to tinker on a fully restored vintage vehicle.
All efforts were made to maximize panel size and stiffness of the 3 ply format – orienting the CLT as spandrel panels and utilizing a modest mezzanine and the built-in gutters to stiffen the structure. Cut into its component parts by hand as 14 pieces and trucked to Vancouver, the CLT was erected from a hiab in 1 ½ days – snapping together like a puzzle. The site presented a number of challenges – accessed from a narrow alley with an overhead powerline, limited lay-down area and adjacent structures.
The erector showed up on site with a 20 page erection diagram sequence – and engineered crane pick lifts planned to ensure the structural integrity of the panels. Accuracy of the structure was incredible with vertical plumb and level bang-on for all subsequent layers of envelope installation. The structure wasencapsulated with an exterior insulation assembly and select knotty vertical reverse board and batten western red cedar siding. Roofing is a standing seam metal assembly with a flush-detail perimeter parapet flashing.
A glowing contrast of interior / exterior is created with the natural tones of the spruce CLT, in contrast to the dramatic exterior Onyx finish.
In the era of a gig economy people have side jobs, side projects, and simultaneous business operations accessory buildings and alleyways provide a unique opportunity for flexible solutions for creative maker space. The rolling overhead door is often up on this glowing space with the interior a hub of activity. Neighbours come by to see what the latest project is and to admire the woodiness of it all… a gem in the neighbourhood.
Material Used :
1. Select knotty red cedar – reverse board and batten siding – Best Rate Cedar
2. 3 ply spruce cross laminated timber – structure/finish – Structurlam
3. Skylights – Columbia Skylights
4. Windows – Starline Windows
5. Insulation – exterior – Rockwool Comfortboard 80
6. Garage door – overhead coiling – Smart Garage Door
7. Stain – Exterior SDF onyx - Interior ENS clear/white tint
