A Seattle couple facing space constraints in their 1919 bungalow has successfully transformed their tiny 110-square-foot backyard shed into a functional dual workspace with the help of Linework Architecture. The project, dubbed "WORK_shed," emerged from a simple email inquiry titled "Tiny Project?" as the couple sought breathing room for two full-time remote workers while maintaining connection to family life with a toddler and another baby on the way.
Linework Architecture approached the project's limitations as creative opportunities rather than obstacles. Instead of expanding the building's footprint or demolishing the existing structure, the design team chose to embrace constraint as their primary design tool. They preserved the original shed platform, maintaining the 110-square-foot base to reduce costs, minimize construction waste, and protect the root system of a nearby heritage tree.
The architectural challenge centered on creating two separate 55-square-foot workspaces that would feel open, bright, and inviting despite their compact size. The architects introduced innovative cantilevered "saddlebags" – subtle extensions that provide full-depth desks, additional seating, and a surprising sense of spaciousness. This solution achieved both functional efficiency and aesthetic appeal through intelligent design rather than excessive construction.
Light became the project's most transformative design element. The architects raised the walls to the maximum zoning height limit and wrapped the upper section in translucent polycarbonate panels. These diffuse panels allow soft daylight to filter through the branches of the heritage tree, filling the interior with constantly shifting patterns of light and shadow. The illumination changes throughout the day, creating a living quality within each workspace – calm morning light, dappled midday sun, and gentle luminosity at sunset.
The construction process evolved into a multi-generational collaborative effort that strengthened family bonds. Parents, grandparents, and even the couple's toddler participated in the building process, transforming construction into a shared creative endeavor. The family worked together measuring, sanding, lifting materials, and celebrating each milestone, making the shed more than just a functional workspace – it became a space of collective presence and shared pride.
The completed WORK_shed demonstrates that comfort and creativity can flourish within strict constraints. Despite its small footprint, the structure feels expansive, filled with natural light, thoughtful design, and purposeful intention. The project serves as a reminder that when architects and designers work within limitations, they often discover their most elegant and innovative solutions, proving that simple projects built with honesty, restraint, and joy can create the most lasting impact on both users and the design community.
