Bend Shed

The Bend Shed

Named for its distinctive roof shape and location in Bend, OR. The Bend Shed was built as a Detached Accessory Dwelling Unit (DADU) in the rear yard of a traditional bungalow-style home. The backyard cottage/urban cabin serves as a retreat for the owner's family, offering a modern take on the area's architectural vernacular.

Design Intent and Concept

An initial goal for the Bend Shed was to create a structure that fit seamlessly into the neighborhood while embracing a distinctly modern aesthetic. The design process began with a careful consideration of scale and roof form, ensuring that the building would be consistent with its surroundings. We also drew inspiration from the local context, particularly the town’s rich lumber mill history and regional building traditions. We chose materials that reflect the area’s legacy and natural resources, incorporating cedar shingles and fir plywood + lumber throughout the design. The shed-like form of the structure was optimized to take advantage of the solar angles. A large cantilevered roof extends over the building, providing shade from the harsh summer sun while allowing the desired lower-angle winter sunlight to filter in—setting up a light focused framework for the home.

Space Planning

This early emphasis on light and solar orientation became the guiding principle for the interior layout. The design celebrates natural light as the central element around which the home revolves. The kitchen, dining, and living areas are put front and center and arranged in a linear sequence, accentuated w/ a double-height space above. On the north side of the home, we placed a shared bathroom, a main bedroom, and a compact laundry/bike garage, all of which are also arranged in a linear fashion to maximize space efficiency. Above the main floor, a bonus loft, accessed by a ship ladder, accommodates two additional bedrooms and a lounge area.

Summary

The Bend Shed successfully merges modern design with regional materials and forms, creating a contemporary yet contextual retreat for its owners. The result is a thoughtful and efficient space that celebrates light, embraces the local landscape, and adds a unique yet contextual infill dwelling to the neighborhood.

Credits:

Architect: Analogous Architecture

Contractor: RN Cross Construction

Structural Engineer: Three Rivers Structural

Photography: Ross Eckert Photo