A modified A-frame she-shed & home office, being built by hand in Franklin, Massachusetts.
DIY BuildInteractive model — drag to orbit, scroll to zoom, right-drag to pan.
Full working drawing set for the build.
The details that make this build unique.
12-foot wide floor-to-peak pentagon of glass. The defining feature — maximum light, maximum drama.
8' × 6' reading and nap loft at 8' height. Accessed by ladder, tucked under the peak.
Comfort Glow cast iron stove with a stone veneer column running floor-to-peak. Primary heat source for the space.
4' × 2' vestibule with side entry — keeps the glass gable wall completely uninterrupted.
Venting pairs on each roof face for natural cooling via stack effect. No AC needed.
Front deck at floor level with step-down arms flanking the vestibule. Outdoor transition zone.
Phases of construction, from ground to finish.
9 sonotube piers, 48" deep. Excavator and auger work.
16" o.c. rafters (2×8×20), floor joists lapped over center beam. The skeleton goes up.
Roof sheathing, glass gable install, skylights, and weather barrier. Getting it dried in.
Insulation, interior finishes, wood stove install, electrical, and loft build-out.
What lets us build this without a building permit.
Structures at or under 200 sq ft of footprint are exempt from building permits in Franklin, MA. The A-frame is designed at exactly 200 sq ft to stay within this threshold. Setback compliance is met — for A-frame structures, the height must be less than or equal to the distance to the nearest lot line, which this design satisfies.