UW-Madison Arboretum Garden Shed
The UW–Madison Arboretum Garden Shed reimagines the conventional shed as a spatial sequence that supports both efficiency and mental clarity. Rather than a cluttered storage space, the design organizes tools through an intuitive layout and guides users through a progression — from a narrow, light-filled entry that encourages focus, to an open workspace with clearly visible storage, and finally to an outward connection with the landscape. Natural light is used as a primary driver, with skylights and louvers strategically directing sunlight to highlight different zones and reinforce orientation. Through simplicity, sequencing, and light, the shed transforms routine utility into a calm and purposeful experience.
Exteriors
Spatial Sequence
Entry → Workspace → Storage
01
Entry
A narrow, light-filled corridor encourages focus and transitions the user from the landscape into the shed.
02
Workspace
An open workspace beneath a skylight, with tool storage visible through glass partitions.
03
Storage
A covered bay with vertical louvers frames the landscape and houses larger equipment.
Seasonal Natural Lighting
Strategically placed skylights and louvers align natural light with seasonal storage needs. The comparison below lets summer and winter be read side by side at the workspace, storage bay, and plan.
View
Summer
May 1, 09:00 AM
Winter
December 1, 09:00 AM
Workspace
Storage
Plan
