About this studio
This backyard massage studio lets a registered massage therapist work from home in North Vancouver instead of renting a downtown office. It’s 9′ x 14′ (126 sq/ft), with charcoal lap siding, corrugated Galvalume, a full-glass door and clerestory windows. The yard sat about 28 inches above the lane, with power lines overhead, so the 7,500 lb studio was rolled in sideways instead of being lifted by crane.
A home studio for a massage practice
The full-glass door has a built-in blind for privacy, and clerestory windows let in light while keeping the room private. White walls, a pine ceiling and a hardwood floor make a calm space for clients.
Built in a shop
The studio was framed, wrapped, sided and fitted with windows in the shop before it was moved.
Rolled into the yard from the lane
A crane couldn’t be used under the power lines, and the trailer couldn’t tip the studio into the raised yard. The crew parked the trailer in the lane, raised the studio on blocks, slid aluminum beams under it and rolled it sideways into the yard on rollers. It took about 2.5 hours and five people.
| Location | North Vancouver, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 9' x 14' (126 sq/ft) |
| Weight | About 7,500 lb |
| Siding | 6" reveal Hardie lap siding and corrugated Galvalume |
| Roof | Standing seam Galvalume |
| Overhangs | Front 18"; sides 12" |
| Inside | Pine tongue-and-groove ceiling, white melamine walls, engineered hardwood floor |
| Door | 36" full-lite fibreglass door with a built-in blind |
| Windows | Clerestory windows and vinyl windows |
| Power and heat | Yes |
| Permit status | Over 10 m², so a building permit is needed. |
More photos
The photos below show more of the build and the finished building.
What to plan before building a backyard massage studio
- Access: check the lane, slope and overhead wires early. A tight site can still work, but the delivery plan has to fit it.
- Privacy: clerestory windows and a door with a built-in blind keep a treatment room private.
- Size: 9′ x 14′ (126 sq/ft) is over 10 m², so a building permit is needed in North Vancouver.
- Business use: running a business from a backyard building may have its own rules. Check with the municipality.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this massage studio?
It’s 9 feet by 14 feet, which is 126 sq/ft (about 11.7 m²).
How was it moved into the yard?
It was raised on blocks, set on aluminum beams and rollers, and rolled sideways off the trailer into the yard.
Do you need a permit for a backyard studio this size in North Vancouver?
Yes. Over 10 m² (108 sq/ft), a building permit is required, and power or plumbing can mean more permits. See the North Vancouver Shed Regulations and City of North Vancouver Shed Regulations.
Can a backyard studio be used for a business?
Often, but home business rules vary. Check with the municipality before seeing clients at home.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, see the North Vancouver Backyard Office guide, or check the Shed Rules by City.