Engineer’s Tiny Workshop Wins Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2025

A compact creation has captured the title of Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2025 as engineer Mike Robinson from Plumstead demonstrates that innovative design can triumph in limited spaces. His project, dubbed “The Tiny Workshop,” is a testament to clever engineering, addressing the challenges of storage and workspace in smaller gardens, where space is increasingly precious.

Robinson faced a common dilemma: his courtyard garden required storage and workspace, but traditional shed options were too large for the area. “We needed a good bit of storage for the garden necessities,” he stated. With a DIY approach, Robinson crafted his solution over several weekends, resulting in a workshop that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

A Design That Defies Expectations

Utilizing two sets of heavy-duty steel shelving, Robinson created a structure that judges described as “ingenious” and “like nothing we’ve seen before in competition history.” The exterior is clad in wood painted with black ash outdoor paint, enhancing its visual appeal.

The Tiny Workshop’s multifunctional design includes two innovative flaps: one that drops down to form a work floor and another that flips up for weather protection. Inside, every inch is optimized with meticulously planned drawers, shelves, and hooks for tools. Notably, brackets designed with a 3D printer hold spanner handles, merging functionality with design.

Another remarkable feature of the workshop is its living green roof, which not only houses garden tools but also fosters a habitat for local wildlife. “The green roof will come into its own in the next year or so,” Robinson remarked, expressing excitement about its potential. He emphasized that “the shed really is the gift that keeps on giving,” highlighting its enduring benefits.

More Than Just a Shed

The Tiny Workshop serves multiple purposes: it functions as a toolshed, a creative workspace, and a storage solution for both gardening essentials and children’s games. Robinson describes it as “a creative space where I can tinker and mend,” reinforcing the traditional role of a shed while expanding its capabilities.

Head judge Andrew Wilcox praised the workshop’s design for returning to practical roots. “Traditionally, sheds have just been seen as somewhere to store your tools, or perhaps somewhere to potter and play—The Tiny Workshop takes this seemingly basic concept and turns it into something so inspired but also still very practical.”

The award includes a prize of £1,000, celebrating not only Robinson’s carpentry skills but also the democratization of innovative design. As housing density increases and garden spaces shrink, Robinson’s creation stands as a beacon of hope, illustrating that thoughtful planning can enhance utility without compromising aesthetics or function.

The Tiny Workshop is more than just an award-winning structure; it represents a shift in how we approach limited spaces, showcasing the potential for creativity in design. Mike Robinson’s ingenuity is a reminder that even in small dimensions, big ideas can take root and flourish.