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Bike Shelter

While redeveloping my workshop space, I need a simple place where I can park my bicycles. It is important that the space is shaded and can also store some of my bike tools in the summer so that they are accessible when needed. 

Idea 1 Steel Shed

I discovered a business that sold sheds made to similar specifications as shipping containers. High strength steel would be perfect to withstand the terrible winds that cause chaos in my garden and allow a fantastic bike shed, especially during the summer when keeping them at the end of the garden by the gate makes most sense.

 

The floor space of 3 X 2 meters was sufficient to store two bikes comfortably without awkward manoeuvres. The height 2 meters was comfortable for myself an average height male to walk the bikes into the space without bumping my head (unlike the 1.5m high shack I sometimes use).

 

Pros:

 

  • extremely strong to withstand winds

  • excellent shelter, space to work on bikes when needed

  • additional workshop / storage space

 

Cons:

 

  • expensive €2,500 excluding VAT

  • ugly

  • is steel an earth care, people care, fair share material?

 

With the pros in mind I tried to consider what alternative possibilities might be.

 

My trip to Japan also made me reconsider the idea of an ugly shed in the garden, one that would feel like it is out of place.

Idea 2 Gabion wall Shed

What if I was to take gabion walls and build a shed with three such walls. I could then take wooden planks and line the walls to make it a more comfortable shed.

 

Pros:

 

  • would potentially look much better than the steel structure

  • would be wind resistant

  • would be a good shed

 

Cons:

 

  • material intensive

  • materials are expensive

 

In the meantime I reinforced the storage shack and found that I did not need as much storage as I had first thought. My time in Tinos is somewhat cyclical. Summers are times where space is needed but it does not need much waterproof shelter, rather it needs shade and windbreaks. With the storage shack providing good space for solvents, the workshop holding the tools, I was left asking whether a piecemeal solution to storage might be superior for some elements.

Idea 3 no roof

Idea 3 essentially will comprise of a deck. This will keep a clear floor. In addition it will have 3 walls to break the winds. Shade netting will be used to protect the items inside from the sun. Covers will be used to protect items from the rain. As long as the plastic covers are not exposed to the sun, they will not disintegrate. Dust is mainly brought by the wind, so windbreaks and covers will do sufficient work.

 

Pros:

 

  • far less material intensive

  • will meet the minimum needs outlined

  • can be multi-use as a decked, sheltered area

  • considerably lower cost than Idea 1 + Idea 2

 

Cons:

 

  • is not a shed/ fully enclosed workshop space

 

 

As this was more of a natural progression rather than considering 3 options from the beginning it is obvious that Idea 3 is the preferred solution.

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