About this studio
This art studio was built in a shop on the mainland and delivered whole to Bowen Island, in Howe Sound, by ferry. It’s 8′ x 13′ (105 sq/ft), with a saltbox roof, a 5-foot sliding door and awning windows that open for fresh air. Inside, a curved pine ceiling sits over white walls, so the light stays soft and even for painting.
Built in a shop, delivered by ferry
The studio was built and finished indoors, then strapped under a tarp on a trailer and driven onto the ferry. It crossed to the island in one piece, with nothing left to build on the site except the final settling.
Getting it to its spot
The studio had to be backed down a narrow driveway past a neighbouring deck, then moved to a gravel pad at the back of the lot. That last stretch took longer than the ferry ride.
Saltbox roof and awning windows
The saltbox roof gives the front wall a little extra height, which makes room for tall windows. The awning windows open outward, so they can stay open on a damp day.
A curved pine ceiling inside
Inside, the pine tongue-and-groove ceiling follows the curve of the roof, over white walls that bounce the light around the room.
| Location | Bowen Island, BC |
|---|---|
| Size | 8′ x 13′ (105 sq/ft) |
| Design | Saltbox studio (the ridge sits off-centre, so one wall is taller) |
| Build | Built in a shop as a modular building and delivered complete |
| Overhangs | Front 6″; sides 2″ |
| Siding | LP SmartSide |
| Ceiling | Pine tongue-and-groove |
| Walls (inside) | White melamine |
| Door | 60″ sliding door |
| Windows | Two 30″ x 72″ and two 30″ x 30″ windows |
| Electrical and heat | None |
More photos
The photos below show the finished studio in the garden.
What to plan before building a studio for an island
A building that has to be ferried to the site needs a few extra steps.
- Ferry size: check the width, length and height limits for the ferry route, and book the vehicle space ahead.
- Site access: measure the driveway and any tight turns, since the last few metres are often the hardest.
- Size and rules: at 105 sq/ft (under 10 m²), this studio is below the Bowen Island building permit threshold, but zoning and setbacks still apply.
- Light: a painter or maker wants even light, so plan the windows and ceiling for that.
- Foundation: a levelled gravel pad is simple and drains well in a wet climate.
Frequently asked questions
How big is this art studio?
It’s 8 feet by 13 feet, which is 105 sq/ft (about 9.8 m²).
How did the studio get to Bowen Island?
It was built in a shop on the mainland, loaded on a trailer and taken across on the ferry, then moved to its spot on the island.
Do you need a permit for a small studio on Bowen Island?
A building under 10 m² (108 sq/ft) is exempt from the Building Bylaw on Bowen Island, which is where this 105 sq/ft studio falls. Zoning and setbacks still apply. See Bowen Island Shed Regulations.
More outbuildings to explore
Browse more Backyard Outbuildings, read the Bowen Island Shed Regulations, or see Maximum Shed Size Without a Permit.