Taking the premise of a garden shed, S.H.E.D was developed into a flat pack, reconfigurable, touring space that could support cultural and socio-civic research and practice.
The concept for S.H.E.D was developed in 2019 in partnership with a core team including Dr Victoria Barker, Sarah Webb, Simon Burrows, Barend Slabbert, and a group of stakeholders.
S.H.E.D has a dedicated team of volunteers known as “Shedders”. Shedders build the S.H.E.D but also take part in the engagement around it, such as ‘Shedding light on...'. Shedders include external stakeholders, project partners, master builders, installation staff, University of Derby staff, students and alumni.
We have created 32 possible S.H.E.D configurations (and counting) as an initiative to generate opportunities for people to talk. Sheds are safe, familiar, common spaces that can also spark curiosity.
We have installed and presented our research both nationally and internationally. Recently, we have spoken at Design for Planet, COP26 Design Council Summit, V&A Dundee, and the All-Party Parliamentary Design and Innovation Group.
Since its creation in 2019, thousands of people have taken part in events staged in it at various locations.
S.H.E.D can be easily transported and constructed as a venue for various uses, such as creative workshops and public consultations. S.H.E.D provides a unique space to showcase the public perspective from across the UK.
The work of S.H.E.D acts as a catalyst for positive change, to address challenges of climate change, inequality and promote social mobility.
S.H.E.D explores creative placemaking as a methodology to address civic, societal and economic issues through the design of a unique site for public discourse. It does this by creating innovation projects that embed teaching and learning opportunities through research.
This is manifested through co-designing bespoke S.H.E.D environments for performative, sporting, cultural and artistic engagement; and achieved in partnership with students, stakeholders, local authorities, policy makers, academics and the business sector.
Working with us, you’ll get to select your configuration of choice…
…or you could design your very own bespoke configuration!
