Architecture

The best from the weird and wacky world of sheds

The best from the weird and wacky world of sheds
The shortlist for the 2016 Shed of the Year competition has been announced
The shortlist for the 2016 Shed of the Year competition has been announced
View 115 Images
The Raisbury has the capacity to raise itself off the ground in the event of a flood using hydraulic legs
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The Raisbury has the capacity to raise itself off the ground in the event of a flood using hydraulic legs
The Raisbury has the capacity to raise itself off the ground in the event of a flood using hydraulic legs
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The Raisbury has the capacity to raise itself off the ground in the event of a flood using hydraulic legs
The Chapel is a former religious retreat outfitted with zombie/spooky memorabilia
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The Chapel is a former religious retreat outfitted with zombie/spooky memorabilia
The Chapel is a former religious retreat outfitted with zombie/spooky memorabilia
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The Chapel is a former religious retreat outfitted with zombie/spooky memorabilia
The Chapel is a former religious retreat outfitted with zombie/spooky memorabilia
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The Chapel is a former religious retreat outfitted with zombie/spooky memorabilia
The Dolls' House is a simple shed that contains a whole lot of doll houses
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The Dolls' House is a simple shed that contains a whole lot of doll houses
The Dolls' House is a simple shed that contains a whole lot of doll houses
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The Dolls' House is a simple shed that contains a whole lot of doll houses
The Crocodile Shed houses an African Dwarf crocodile
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The Crocodile Shed houses an African Dwarf crocodile
The Crocodile Shed houses an African Dwarf crocodile
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The Crocodile Shed houses an African Dwarf crocodile
The Love Shack is described as a tiny little work of art that you could live in
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The Love Shack is described as a tiny little work of art that you could live in
The Love Shack is described as a tiny little work of art that you could live in
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The Love Shack is described as a tiny little work of art that you could live in
The Love Shack is described as a tiny little work of art that you could live in
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The Love Shack is described as a tiny little work of art that you could live in
The Love Shack is described as a tiny little work of art that you could live in
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The Love Shack is described as a tiny little work of art that you could live in
The Strawdio was built out of Strawbales and is a hybrid "loadbearing" and timber supported structure
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The Strawdio was built out of Strawbales and is a hybrid "loadbearing" and timber supported structure
The Strawdio was built out of Strawbales and is a hybrid "loadbearing" and timber supported structure
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The Strawdio was built out of Strawbales and is a hybrid "loadbearing" and timber supported structure
The Strawdio was built out of Strawbales and is a hybrid "loadbearing" and timber supported structure
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The Strawdio was built out of Strawbales and is a hybrid "loadbearing" and timber supported structure
The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and ate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
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The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and ate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
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The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
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The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
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The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
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The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
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The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
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The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
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The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
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The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
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The West Wing was built to serve as a man cave and a place for its owner to escape his four kids
The Austin Camper Shed Camper is a fully-fledged camper melding shed and a classic Austin J4 pickup truck
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The Austin Camper Shed Camper is a fully-fledged camper melding shed and a classic Austin J4 pickup truck
The Austin Camper Shed Camper is a fully-fledged camper melding shed and a classic Austin J4 pickup truck
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The Austin Camper Shed Camper is a fully-fledged camper melding shed and a classic Austin J4 pickup truck
Boatcrash is a cosy area for relaxing and even sleeping in
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Boatcrash is a cosy area for relaxing and even sleeping in
Boatcrash is a cosy area for relaxing and even sleeping in
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Boatcrash is a cosy area for relaxing and even sleeping in
Boatcrash is a cosy area for relaxing and even sleeping in
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Boatcrash is a cosy area for relaxing and even sleeping in
Shed of Dreams uses an unconventional roof construction, made by curving two members and then locking together to form a Gothic arch shape
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Shed of Dreams uses an unconventional roof construction, made by curving two members and then locking together to form a Gothic arch shape
Shed of Dreams uses an unconventional roof construction, made by curving two members and then locking together to form a Gothic arch shape
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Shed of Dreams uses an unconventional roof construction, made by curving two members and then locking together to form a Gothic arch shape
Shed of Dreams uses an unconventional roof construction, made by curving two members and then locking together to form a Gothic arch shape
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Shed of Dreams uses an unconventional roof construction, made by curving two members and then locking together to form a Gothic arch shape
Shed of Dreams uses an unconventional roof construction, made by curving two members and then locking together to form a Gothic arch shape
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Shed of Dreams uses an unconventional roof construction, made by curving two members and then locking together to form a Gothic arch shape
The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
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The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
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The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
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The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
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The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
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The Talliston Cabin is designed as an outdoor room that gives all the feeling of living in the middle of a forest
The Sci-fi shed is inspired by Han Solo's Millenium Falcon
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The Sci-fi shed is inspired by Han Solo's Millenium Falcon
The Sci-fi shed is inspired by Han Solo's Millenium Falcon
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The Sci-fi shed is inspired by Han Solo's Millenium Falcon
The Sci-fi shed is inspired by Han Solo's Millenium Falcon
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The Sci-fi shed is inspired by Han Solo's Millenium Falcon
Povera is a place where its owner can go and shut the door and be in their own world
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Povera is a place where its owner can go and shut the door and be in their own world
Povera is a place where its owner can go and shut the door and be in their own world
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Povera is a place where its owner can go and shut the door and be in their own world
Lawnside House is used as a museum for collected vintage lawn mowers
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Lawnside House is used as a museum for collected vintage lawn mowers
Lawnside House is used as a museum for collected vintage lawn mowers
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Lawnside House is used as a museum for collected vintage lawn mowers
Lawnside House is used as a museum for collected vintage lawn mowers
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Lawnside House is used as a museum for collected vintage lawn mowers
Lawnside House is used as a museum for collected vintage lawn mowers
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Lawnside House is used as a museum for collected vintage lawn mowers
Cowpe Smithy was built to replicate a corrugated iron and timber workshop common after World War One
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Cowpe Smithy was built to replicate a corrugated iron and timber workshop common after World War One
Cowpe Smithy was built to replicate a corrugated iron and timber workshop common after World War One
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Cowpe Smithy was built to replicate a corrugated iron and timber workshop common after World War One
Cowpe Smithy was built to replicate a corrugated iron and timber workshop common after World War One
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Cowpe Smithy was built to replicate a corrugated iron and timber workshop common after World War One
Cowpe Smithy was built to replicate a corrugated iron and timber workshop common after World War One
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Cowpe Smithy was built to replicate a corrugated iron and timber workshop common after World War One
Stephen's Bar is a low-cost labor of love
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Stephen's Bar is a low-cost labor of love
The Hooting Owl is inspired by traditional rural Polish cabins
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The Hooting Owl is inspired by traditional rural Polish cabins
The Hooting Owl is inspired by traditional rural Polish cabins
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The Hooting Owl is inspired by traditional rural Polish cabins
The Party Shed is a mini-nightclub in a back garden
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The Party Shed is a mini-nightclub in a back garden
The Party Shed is a mini-nightclub in a back garden
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The Party Shed is a mini-nightclub in a back garden
The Party Shed is a mini-nightclub in a back garden
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The Party Shed is a mini-nightclub in a back garden
The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
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The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
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The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
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The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
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The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
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The Tranquility Saloon is part of a UK-based Wild West scene
The Old Garden Shed is a charming but cheap place for potting and working
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The Old Garden Shed is a charming but cheap place for potting and working
The Old Garden Shed is a charming but cheap place for potting and working
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The Old Garden Shed is a charming but cheap place for potting and working
The Old Garden Shed is a charming but cheap place for potting and working
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The Old Garden Shed is a charming but cheap place for potting and working
The Old Garden Shed is a charming but cheap place for potting and working
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The Old Garden Shed is a charming but cheap place for potting and working
Art Sudio Peg serves as an art studio
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Art Sudio Peg serves as an art studio
Art Sudio Peg serves as an art studio
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Art Sudio Peg serves as an art studio
Art Sudio Peg serves as an art studio
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Art Sudio Peg serves as an art studio
Art Sudio Peg serves as an art studio
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Art Sudio Peg serves as an art studio
The Beach Hut is a self-made shed built using recycled materials
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The Beach Hut is a self-made shed built using recycled materials
The Beach Hut is a self-made shed built using recycled materials
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The Beach Hut is a self-made shed built using recycled materials
The Beach Hut is a self-made shed built using recycled materials
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The Beach Hut is a self-made shed built using recycled materials
The Beach Hut is a self-made shed built using recycled materials
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The Beach Hut is a self-made shed built using recycled materials
The Walnut is a place for relaxation built out of free materials
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The Walnut is a place for relaxation built out of free materials
The Walnut is a place for relaxation built out of free materials
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The Walnut is a place for relaxation built out of free materials
Wychurst is the largest reconstructed early mediaeval building in private hands in Europe
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Wychurst is the largest reconstructed early mediaeval building in private hands in Europe
Wychurst is the largest reconstructed early mediaeval building in private hands in Europe
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Wychurst is the largest reconstructed early mediaeval building in private hands in Europe
Wychurst is the largest reconstructed early mediaeval building in private hands in Europe
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Wychurst is the largest reconstructed early mediaeval building in private hands in Europe
The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
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The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
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The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
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The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
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The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
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The Writer's shed was the shed used by Welsh writer Dylan Thomas to work on some of his most famous works
Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter
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Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter
Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter
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Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter
Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter
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Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter
Air Cavalry Bunker is a shed designed to resemble an American cavalry bunker from the Vietnam War
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Air Cavalry Bunker is a shed designed to resemble an American cavalry bunker from the Vietnam War
Air Cavalry Bunker is a shed designed to resemble an American cavalry bunker from the Vietnam War
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Air Cavalry Bunker is a shed designed to resemble an American cavalry bunker from the Vietnam War
Air Cavalry Bunker is a shed designed to resemble an American cavalry bunker from the Vietnam War
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Air Cavalry Bunker is a shed designed to resemble an American cavalry bunker from the Vietnam War
Air Cavalry Bunker is a shed designed to resemble an American cavalry bunker from the Vietnam War
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Air Cavalry Bunker is a shed designed to resemble an American cavalry bunker from the Vietnam War
The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
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The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
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The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
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The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
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The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
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The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
The Maggie Ewing is a renovated ex-boat wheelhouse
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The Maggie Ewing is a renovated ex-boat wheelhouse
The Maggie Ewing is a renovated ex-boat wheelhouse
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The Maggie Ewing is a renovated ex-boat wheelhouse
The Maggie Ewing is a renovated ex-boat wheelhouse
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The Maggie Ewing is a renovated ex-boat wheelhouse
The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
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The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
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The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
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The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
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The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
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The Shed is like a tiny house and rotates to follow the sun
The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
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The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
108/115
The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
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The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
110/115
The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
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The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
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The village is a cluster of sheds that includes mini theater/house, a pub made mostly from old harmoniums, and more
The shortlist for the 2016 Shed of the Year competition has been announced
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The shortlist for the 2016 Shed of the Year competition has been announced
Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter
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Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter
Stephen's Bar is a low-cost labor of love
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Stephen's Bar is a low-cost labor of love
View gallery - 115 images

The 2016 Shed of the Year competition includes some of the most innovative, wacky, and downright fun micro-architecture you're likely to see in one place. Highlights include a shed that can withstand a nuclear attack, a sustainable shed built using cobs, and a street-legal shed that packs a V6 engine.

For those unfamiliar with the UK's thriving shed scene, it's similar to the USA's tiny house movement, but with more novelty gnomes and a focus on offering somewhere for a garden-loving parent to escape to for a few hours, rather than a place to live. The scene is filled with passionate hobbyists who create all kinds of weird and wonderful small structures in their gardens.

The 2016 Shed of the Year shortlist is split into eight categories: Unexpected, Eco, Cabin/Summerhouse, Workshops/Studios, Entertainment, Budget, Historic, and Unique. Each category features four sheds.

The public can vote for a winner in each category until June 8, before an overall winner is selected later this year. Below, we've picked out a few eye-catching examples.

Dun 25

Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter
Dun 25 is a three-man nuclear shelter

"My Shed is in fact a 3 man nuclear bunker," explains Jim Sherrit, proud owner of Dun 25, a former nuclear bunker located 20 ft (6 m) underground in a farmer's field on the outskirts of Edzell, Scotland.

Sherrit has spent the past three years restoring the bunker back to its former glory and the result is a testament to his patience and enthusiasm. Access is gained via hatch and vertical ladder, and power comes in the form of a battery and generator. It's pretty much a technology-free zone inside the bunker, but there are plenty of tools, charts, maps, and books to keep Sherrit busy.

Dun 25 is an entrant in the Historic category.

Fastest Shed

The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine
The aptly-named Fastest Shed sports a V6 engine

Kevin Nicks reckons his self-built shed-on-wheels is probably the only 100 percent street legal shed in the world and we're inclined to give him the benefit of the doubt. It also packs a 200 bhp V6 engine, four wheel drive, disc brakes, air-con, electric windows, and remote central locking.

Nicks has clocked-up a top speed of 88.086 mph (141.7 km/h) on an airfield in his shed and hopes to reach speeds of over 100 mph (160 km/h) later this year. To date, he's covered around 5,000 miles (8,046 km) in it.

Fastest Shed is an entrant in the Unique category.

The Cob Shed

The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world
The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve and Kate Edwards and their 3 year-old son, plus a little help from over 200 people from around the world

The Cob Shed was built by Charlotte Eve, Kate Edwards, and their 3 year-old son – not to mention a little help from over 200 people from around the world who have visited the shed to learn how to build their own cob sheds and homes.

The shed sports a turf roof, reclaimed windows, and doors. It features a floor and walls made from cobs (finished in lime render), which soak up the sun's heat during the day naturally and release it at night to maintain a steady temperature. A stained glass roof panel offers additional sunlight. The space is used for entertaining guests and as a home office.

The Cob Shed is an entrant in the Eco category.

Head to the gallery to check out all the other sheds, along with brief descriptions of their designs. Notable entries include a shed that doubles up as a home for an African crocodile, another designed to resemble an American cavalry bunker from the Vietnam War, and a shed that rises on hydraulic stilts to avoid flooding.

Source: Readers Sheds

View gallery - 115 images
1 comment
1 comment
Booleanboy
Kevin Nicks (Fastest Shed) lives in a village close to me here in the UK. He turned up at the monthly 'interesting vehicles' meeting at a local pub in his shed a few weeks ago. It was a show-stopper, much to the annoyance of all the prim and proud classic vehicle owners!