Tucked in next to a cozy farmhouse and barn surrounded by fields of organic vegetables in Vermont, this woodshop and hobby-space is a new 767-square-foot timber-framed shop that pairs traditional joinery with a quietly modern envelope. The result is a structure that reads as a classic New England barn from the road, but opens up inside to a bright, exposed-frame makers-space.
The frame is locally sourced eastern white pine with cherry used for the braces and carried through into the interior trim details — a warm, contrasting accent against the pine’s straight grain. Further to offset the splendor of the pine frame, the interior tongue and groove boards are lightly whitewashed, retaining the grain of the wood while breaking up the values of the natural pine. The steep roof carries a full-height gable end, which puts the frame’s structure — arched truss king posts and cherry bracing — on full display from both inside and out. Rather than hiding the frame behind finish walls, the design leans into it: the joinery is the architecture.
The exterior is clad in vertical shiplap siding, finished in a dark stain that sets off the natural wood tone of the eaves. A standing-seam metal roof in a graphite gray tops the structure, with a generous overhang on all ends that shelter the entry and provide some passive shading.
The building envelope is insulated with Steico wood-fiber insulation over the frame — a vapor-open, bio-based system that keeps the wall and roof assembly breathable while delivering solid thermal performance, in keeping with the all-wood material palette of the frame and finishes.
Black-framed casement, awning and fixed windows are grouped generously along the eave walls and stacked at the gable end, flooding the interior with light and framing views out to the surrounding fields, tree lines and pond. Paired black metal-and-glass doors mark the main entry, continuing the dark, minimal frame language used throughout the window openings.
In all, this makers-space came out beautifully with it’s unique design elements to create a hobby-shop filled with natural light for woodworking projects and other creative imaginings to take shape in for years to come.
Details
- Size: 767 sq ft
- Frame: Eastern white pine with cherry braces, arched King post trusses & gunstock posts
- Insulation: Steico wood-fiber insulation
- Roof: Metal Standing-seam
- Siding: Shiplap pine
- Windows/doors: Black metal-framed casement, awning and fixed windows, paired metal-and-glass entry doors from Marvin
- Completed: Summer 2026
- Builder: Timberhomes VT
