Artist Studio Series · EdsBackyardBuilds.com
A Space Built for Your Work. Not Borrowed From Your House..
Every artist, maker, photographer, and creative professional eventually hits the same wall — the work has outgrown the space available inside the house. The spare bedroom isn't a studio. The basement isn't a studio. A converted corner of the garage is never a studio.
The Artist Studio series is purpose-built for people who take their creative work seriously enough to give it a real room: one with the right light, the right separation from household life, and the structural quality that makes it a permanent part of the property rather than a temporary accommodation.
"I've been painting for twenty years in whatever corner I could claim. Having a room that's mine — with north light and a door that closes — changed how I work and how much I work."
— Dayton area homeowner, Artist Studio series
Is This Series Right For You?
Built for Creative Work.
The Right Fit for the Right Practice.
The Artist Studio series is designed around one principle: the work deserves its own space. Here's an honest look at who it serves best — and where a different series might be the better answer.
This Series Is a Strong Fit If —
- You paint, draw, sculpt, photograph, or practice any visual art that requires dedicated space and controlled light
- You work in ceramics, printmaking, fiber arts, jewelry, or any craft that benefits from a permanent, organized setup
- You are a musician, composer, or audio producer who needs acoustic separation from the household
- You need a space where your work — materials, in-progress pieces, equipment — can remain set up between sessions
- You want natural light positioned for your specific medium — north-facing for painters, broad diffused light for photographers
- You want a structure that reflects the seriousness of your practice with a 30-year structural warranty and site-built quality
Worth Considering First —
- If heavy power tools, metalworking, or benchtop machinery are the primary use, the Workshop series is built around those requirements
- If client-facing meetings and computer workstation setup are the primary need, the Backyard Office series has a layout optimized for that environment
- If your creative practice involves significant chemical use — darkroom chemicals, solvent-based finishes — discuss ventilation requirements with Ed before selecting a configuration
- If acoustic isolation for music recording is the primary goal, discuss wall assembly options with Ed — standard framing provides separation, not professional acoustic isolation
Structural Standards · Every Artist Studio Build
The Light Is What You Notice First.
The Structure Is What Makes It Last.
The Artist Studio series is built to the full Appalachian Elite structural standard — the same foundation, framing, and roof assembly as every other series. What makes the Studio distinctive is how the standard features serve a creative environment: the oversized windows deliver the natural light that makes a studio a studio, the steep roofline creates interior volume, and the 2×6 wall depth supports insulation for year-round working comfort.
- Foundation: 6×6 YellaWood® pressure-treated grade beams, moisture barrier, and adjustable leveling system — site-specific assessment ensures a level, stable base for permanent equipment setup.
- Floor system: 2×6 pressure-treated joists at 16" on center, double center beam, and 3/4" 7-ply pressure-treated plywood subfloor — never OSB. A solid, level working surface that handles pottery wheels, easels, printing presses, and heavy equipment without flex.
- Wall framing: 2×6 kiln-dried studs at 16" on center with interlocking double top plate — provides wall depth for insulation and structural rigidity for wall-mounted storage, shelving, and hanging systems.
- Wall sheathing: 1/2" pressure-treated sheathing throughout — moisture resistant and structurally rigid.
- Roof structure: Custom-cut 2×6 rafters or steel-plated engineered trusses with 6" overhangs, hurricane ties, and 1/2" roof sheathing — the steep Appalachian Elite pitch creates generous interior height that makes a compact footprint feel like a full studio space.
- Windows: Oversized and operable — the defining feature of an artist's studio. Positioned for the natural light your medium requires. North-facing window placement is available on applicable configurations and should be discussed with Ed at the site visit.
- Exterior shutters: Matched to window sizing — a finished exterior that reads as architectural rather than utilitarian.
- Gable vents and extended eaves: Passive ventilation — important for studios that involve paint, solvents, clay, or any material that benefits from air exchange.
- Siding: LP SmartSide® engineered wood siding — standard on all Appalachian Elite builds, paintable to complement the primary residence or stand as a distinct structure.
- Exterior finish: Primed — finish coats not included. All wood surfaces must be sealed within 30 days of completion.
- Interior: Structure is 100% finish-ready. Interior wall finish, flooring, and lighting are not included in the standard build.
- Dimensions: ±2" tolerance — standard for site-built construction.
Electrical — Upgrade Option
Electrical service is not included in the standard Artist Studio build price. For most studio uses — lighting, power tools, kilns, darkroom equipment, audio gear — a dedicated sub-panel circuit is essential. The electrical load requirements vary significantly by medium: a painter's studio needs general lighting and a few outlets; a ceramicist with an electric kiln needs a dedicated high-amperage circuit. Discuss your specific equipment at the site visit so electrical planning is accurate from the start. Ed coordinates this through vetted, licensed trade partners.
Size Configurations · Artist Studio Series
Three Footprints.
One Build Standard.
Select the configuration that fits your practice, your site, and your creative ambitions. Every Artist Studio size is built to the same Appalachian Elite structural standard — the footprint changes, the craftsmanship doesn't.
Pricing shown is starting price for standard configuration. Electrical, interior finishes, and site-specific foundation work are priced separately at proposal stage. No surprises.
10 × 12
120 Square Feet
A focused, single-medium studio. Ideal for painters, illustrators, photographers, or jewelers who need dedicated space for one primary discipline. The Appalachian Elite roofline gives a compact footprint genuine interior volume — this is not a small room. It is a real studio at a manageable scale.
12 × 16
192 Square Feet
The working studio configuration. Room for a primary work area, a secondary prep or storage zone, wall-mounted organization, and the floor space to move around a full canvas, a large print, or a wheel-thrown piece. This is the configuration most artists select when they're committing to the practice long-term.
14 × 20
280 Square Feet
The full-scale studio. Multiple work zones, dedicated storage and finishing areas, room for large-format work, collaborative space for teaching or working with others. The configuration for the professional or serious hobbyist whose practice has grown beyond what any smaller footprint can accommodate.
How It Works · Artist Studio Series
From First Conversation
to First Session in Your Studio.
Every Artist Studio build follows the same six-step process. Window placement, natural light orientation, and electrical requirements for your specific medium are discussed at the site visit — not treated as afterthoughts at the proposal stage.
Step 01
Call or Email Ed Directly
Describe your medium, your light needs, and your site. Ed answers — window placement and property orientation are best discussed early.
Step 02
On-Site Assessment
Grade, drainage, setbacks, and the orientation of your property relative to north are reviewed for painters and photographers who need controlled light.
Step 03
Written Proposal
Every material specified. Electrical priced separately based on your actual equipment load. No lump sums, no surprises.
Step 04
Permits
Homeowner's responsibility — Ed provides the exact roadmap for your municipality, including any electrical permit requirements.
Step 05
The Build
Ed, Randall, and Travis are on site. Every structural element is built by hand. Licensed electrician coordination is available after structural completion.
Step 06
Completion Walkthrough
Full review before we leave. Warranty documentation delivered. The 30-day sealing requirement is confirmed, including exactly what product to use.
Artist Studio Questions · EdsBackyardBuilds.com
Questions Specific to the
Artist Studio Series.
Creative professionals ask specific questions about light, ventilation, and acoustic performance. These are the ones we hear most often — answered honestly within Ed's scope of work.
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Yes — and this is a conversation Ed has specifically during the site visit. North-facing window placement is a function of how your structure is oriented on your property, which depends on your lot's orientation and the available setback space in each direction. Ed assesses this at the site visit and discusses window placement options relative to your property's actual north-facing exposure.
Not every property allows a structure to be positioned with its primary window wall facing north — setbacks, access requirements, and existing structures may limit orientation options. If north light is a priority for your practice, communicate that clearly in your initial conversation so it drives the site assessment from the start.
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The standard Appalachian Elite passive ventilation system — gable vents, operable oversized windows, and extended eaves — provides meaningful air exchange for most studio applications. For painters using water-based media, illustrators, and most photographers, passive ventilation is adequate under normal working conditions.
For practices that involve oil-based solvents, lacquers, resin casting, or other high-VOC materials, active ventilation is strongly recommended. An exhaust fan rated for the specific chemicals you work with, installed by a licensed electrician, provides the air exchange rate that passive ventilation cannot guarantee. This is an upgrade item — discuss your specific materials with Ed at the site visit so it can be included in the electrical planning and proposal from the start.
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Yes — with an honest understanding of what site-built construction provides and what it doesn't. The Appalachian Elite wall assembly — 2×6 framing, sheathing, and LP SmartSide® siding — provides meaningful acoustic separation from the outdoor environment and from the primary residence. For practice, rehearsal, podcasting, and home recording at a prosumer level, the separation is generally sufficient.
Professional acoustic isolation — the kind that allows recording at commercial release standards adjacent to a neighbor's property — requires specialized decoupled wall construction, mass-loaded vinyl, and acoustic treatment that goes beyond a standard structural build. Ed builds structures, not acoustic systems. If you need studio-grade isolation, discuss the structural requirements with an acoustic consultant before the proposal stage so any special framing requirements can be factored in.
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Electrical requirements for studio equipment vary dramatically by medium. A standard painting studio with LED lighting and a few outlets may be served by a 20-amp circuit. An electric kiln is a different matter entirely — many kilns require a dedicated 240V circuit, and larger kilns may require more. A traditional chemical darkroom typically requires dedicated circuits for enlargers, safelights, and ventilation.
Ed's licensed trade partner will assess your specific equipment's nameplate electrical requirements and provide a firm quote for the sub-panel and circuit installation. The most important step is bringing your equipment specifications — manufacturer data sheets or model numbers — to the initial conversation so electrical planning is accurate from the proposal stage, not revised at installation.
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Yes — the 2×6 wall framing provides a full 5.5" insulation cavity, the same depth used in residential construction. The floor system and roof structure are similarly insulation-compatible. The Artist Studio is built to support year-round occupancy — insulation installation and a climate control system are the upgrades that complete it for that use.
Climate control is particularly important for studios that house completed artwork, photographic materials, or pigment-sensitive media. Temperature and humidity fluctuations affect materials as much as they affect the working environment. A mini-split heat pump is often the practical choice for year-round studio climate control because it provides heating and cooling with efficient operation and a compact installation footprint. Discuss climate control intentions at the initial consultation so electrical load planning accounts for the HVAC system from the start.
Ready to Start · EdsBackyardBuilds.com
Your Practice Has Earned
Its Own Space. Let's Build It.
Call or email Ed directly — no forms, no automated responses. Greater Cincinnati and Ohio Valley homeowners reach him personally. Same business day response.
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