Outbuildings
A Special Potting Shed for a Sonoma Wine Country Farm
Local agricultural buildings inspire a jewel box at the edge of a California vineyard
Siting and orientation: Frear carefully considered the siting of the shed, placing it about 100 feet from the main house among the existing agricultural support structures. These include a greenhouse, water tower, water tanks, a chicken coop and raised garden beds. “The potting shed is the kingpin of the agricultural support structures,” Frear says.
The shed faces east and provides a lovely view of the house, pool, pool house and rose garden. A patio outfitted with two comfortable Adirondack chairs provides a great spot to relax and enjoy the view.
This photo also shows how well the shed’s white framing plays off the fence around the raised garden beds.
The shed faces east and provides a lovely view of the house, pool, pool house and rose garden. A patio outfitted with two comfortable Adirondack chairs provides a great spot to relax and enjoy the view.
This photo also shows how well the shed’s white framing plays off the fence around the raised garden beds.
The orientation of the building also considered the sun. “The potting shed faces due east with its canted roof providing maximal shade from the afternoon sun,” Frear says.
Roof: He also designed the simple angled shed roof with rainwater collection in mind.
Must-haves: The homeowners knew they would need a generous sink, a counter that drains well, plenty of shelves and a durable floor for their potting projects. “These were seamlessly incorporated in this project and resulted in a special little structure that ties the entire property together,” Frear says.
Floors: Stone pavers and gravel edging were used for a floor that drains well and is easy to maintain.
Floors: Stone pavers and gravel edging were used for a floor that drains well and is easy to maintain.
Materials: “The materials were chosen to be consistent with the established vocabulary of the other support structures,” Frear says. So even though the shed has a modern look, materials such as the corrugated metal roof, cedar planks and stone pavers help it fit into the rural landscape. And the feeling inside is simple and clean with nods to farm style.
Sink and counters: Frear designed the cast concrete sink and had it fabricated locally. The design includes generous countertop space and grooves for easy drainage. The faucet has a classic farmhouse silhouette, while its blackened finish skews more modern.
Sink fabricators: Bohemian Stoneworks of Sebastopol
Builder: Earthtone Construction
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Sink fabricators: Bohemian Stoneworks of Sebastopol
Builder: Earthtone Construction
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Shed at a Glance
What happens here: Potting plants, cutting and arranging flowers, washing vegetables from the garden
Location: Sonoma County, California
Size: 162 square feet (15 square meters); 9 feet wide by 18 feet long by 10 feet tall
Architects: Robert Frear and Nick Dareau of Robert Frear Architects
The backstory: This 10-acre farm in wine country is the part-time residence of two empty nesters from San Francisco who love to garden. An assemblage of agricultural buildings on the west end of their property had its charms but was not well-organized. The couple wanted a potting shed near their raised planting beds, which are about 100 feet from the main house. Architect Robert Frear saw an opportunity for the new building to serve as a centerpiece among the other structures that would tie them together.
The style: Frear and project architect Nick Dareau carefully studied the vernacular architecture in the region, taking note of materials, construction methods and style. “This style can be described as an updated 19th-century farm building with a modern and functional plan,” Frear says. Materials plucked from the local rural vernacular give the new building its own local roots: The foundation and low walls are stone, the frame is wood and the siding is board and batten.