Green Box

source: detail-online

Garden sheds are often wonderful places where people can tinker and work in a modicum of solitude without feeling disconnected from civilization. What ideas have been given form in these unlikely laboratories for the human mind and soul. Traditionally however, they have tended to be wooden sheds, informal, makeshift, leaky and strewn with gardening tools.

The Italian practice Act_Romegialli has converted an old car garage into a shed that they call Green Box. Externally it is difficult to see what, if anything, they have done as creepers and other plants have totally enveloped the structure. Of course this is no accident, but it charmingly appears as though the garage has been subsumed in nature.

Internally, using the utilitarian language of gardening, the tools have been tided into galvanized steel shelves and cupboards, that is also the new kitchen. This furniture piece floats elegantly above the ground and looks sleek yet informal. More importantly it looks as if it is part of the shed rather than a domestic kitchen “plonked” outdoors!

Metal framed glazing has replaced some of the side walls and the stone pillars and walls give a rustic authenticity that contrasts nicely with the galvanized steel windows and furniture.