This small, hand-made space was conceived as a Deployable Smocked Porch.  Deployable because it is small enough to be moved once it is made; Smocked, due to the embroidery technique utilized to pleat and sew the layers of insect screening together; and a Porch, referring to the archetypal space that is created ? both inside and outside.  A simple wooden frame defines the small space and supports two porch swings.

© Paul Crosby

Architects: Substancearchitecture

Location: United States, Winterset, IA 50273, USA

Area: 90.0 sqm

Project Year: 2015

Photographs: Paul Crosby

© Paul Crosby

From the architect. This small, hand-made space was conceived as a Deployable Smocked Porch.  Deployable because it is small enough to be moved once it is made; Smocked, due to the embroidery technique utilized to pleat and sew the layers of insect screening together; and a Porch, referring to the archetypal space that is created ? both inside and outside.  A simple wooden frame defines the small space and supports two porch swings.
© Paul Crosby

The smocked screening creates curtains that can be opened and closed to allow access, as well as provide shade and enclosure. A rectangular opening in the roof allows a defined shaft of daylight to enter the space.  This opening is echoed in the small turf area cut i...