About this studio
This 10×16 modular studio was built for a forest lot on Pender Island, one of the southern Gulf Islands in British Columbia. At 10′ x 16′ (160 sq/ft), it’s a CSA A277 factory-built building with dark Hardie lap siding, a standing seam roof, a row of clerestory windows and a white full-glass door. Inside, it has a work area, a pine ceiling and a full bathroom with a tiled wet room. The photos follow it from the shop to the island and into its clearing.
A studio in the trees
The studio sits in a clearing among tall firs. Dark lap siding and white trim make it stand out against the green, and a row of clerestory windows brings daylight deep into the room. A standing seam roof sheds the island rain.
Lit up at dusk
At night, the glass door and clerestory windows glow from the inside. They make the studio look like a lantern in the woods.
Inside the studio
Inside, the walls are painted drywall and the ceiling is pine tongue-and-groove. Track lights sit under the clerestory band, and there’s room for a desk, a bookcase and a seat. The CSA A277 label inside the door shows the building was made to the national standard for factory-built buildings.
A full bathroom
The studio has a full bathroom with tile on the walls and floor, a walk-in shower with a niche, a wall-hung toilet and a slim vanity.
Built in a shop, delivered to the island
The studio was framed and finished in a shop, then loaded onto a gooseneck trailer. A pickup truck towed it through a BC Ferries terminal with an oversize load sign, and a loader helped place it on its pad.
| Location | Pender Island, British Columbia |
|---|---|
| Size | 10′ x 16′ (160 sq/ft) |
| Type | Modular, CSA A277 factory-built building |
| Siding | Hardie lap siding and corrugated Galvalume |
| Roof | Standing seam |
| Overhangs | Front 18″; sides 12″ |
| Inside | Pine tongue-and-groove ceiling and drywall walls |
| Door | 36″ fibreglass full-lite door |
| Windows | Clerestory windows and vinyl windows |
| Bathroom | Full bathroom with a tiled wet room |
| Power and heat | Yes |
More photos
The photos below show the access road, the site and the wider views.
What to plan before building a studio on an island
Getting a studio to an island lot takes more planning than a delivery in town.
- Delivery: plan the ferry booking, the gravel road and the turn into the lot. A 10×16 fits on a gooseneck trailer.
- Site: level the pad and plan how the building will be set down. A small loader or excavator can help.
- Services: plan power, water and septic early. A bathroom needs a drain field or another approved system.
- Light: clerestory windows bring in daylight without losing wall space for furniture.
- Permits and approvals: a building with a bathroom needs a building permit. Check with the local authority and the health authority.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this studio?
It’s 10 feet by 16 feet, which is 160 sq/ft (about 14.9 m²).
What does CSA A277 mean?
CSA A277 is the Canadian standard for factory-built buildings. It means the studio was built and inspected in a factory setting.
Does it have a bathroom?
Yes. It has a full bathroom with a tiled wet room, a walk-in shower, a toilet and a vanity.
How was the studio delivered?
It was built in a shop, then towed on a gooseneck trailer, taken by BC Ferries and placed on its pad with a loader.
Do you need a permit for a studio on Pender Island?
Usually yes, especially with a bathroom. See the Shed Rules by City and Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit guides, then check with the local authority.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, read Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit, or check the Shed Rules by City.