rural workshop

Sustainably crafted, timelessly 
rooted.

 Rural Workshop is the creative endeavor of Shaun Ryder, an architect, designer, and maker, committed to the belief that architecture should harmonize with its surroundings, speaking through the materials and landscapes it inhabits. His practice celebrates the raw beauty of natural materials, crafting spaces that are both functional and deeply connected to the earth. This philosophy embraces simplicity, sustainability, and the poetic resonance of the built environment.

For Shaun, design begins with a dialogue between the site and the materials. It is a conversation rooted in understanding the landscape, honoring traditional craftsmanship, and creating work that is both enduring and alive. His approach distills architecture to its purest form—where beauty is found in the honest and unpretentious.

Shaped by a diverse, multidisciplinary background, Shaun’s work draws influence from his time spent with master craftsmen, architects, and artists across Europe. These experiences have cultivated a distinctive approach to design, blending time-honored techniques with contemporary demands for performance, sustainability, and beauty. Through this lens, his creations are not just structures, but stories woven by the people who created them and the materials they are made of.

Rural Workshop spans a range of scales, from finely crafted furniture to larger architectural schemes. Every project is conceived as a living entity—a space that responds to its environment and its users. Beauty emerges not from rigid lines, but from the balance between form and function, where each element serves a purpose. Sustainability is integral to every stage, from sourcing materials responsibly to designing buildings that interact with the seasons and stand the test of time.

At its core, Shaun’s work is about connection—connection to the land, the materials, and the people who experience the spaces he creates. It’s about crafting environments that nurture the soul, offering a sense of balance and belonging. In every piece, every space, there is quiet poetry, reverence for the craft, and a dedication to creating spaces that inspire.

















Shaun Ryder
Architect, Designer & Maker
BArch (Hons), MA Architecture
Shaun Ryder is an Architect, Designer and Maker known for his expertise in sustainable building practice and specialising in timber frame construction. With a focus on creating human-centered, functional spaces, Shaun combines a refined skill set with a deep commitment to the environment. He holds a BA in Architecture from Oxford Brookes University and an MA in Spatial Design, Perception, and Detail from The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts in Copenhagen, where his education shaped his approach to architecture and spatial design.

Shaun’s career began with experiences abroad, where he worked in France and Denmark, honing his understanding of design and construction in neighbouring cultural contexts. His time at Atelier Zero Carbone Architects in Dijon, France, introduced him to international architectural practices and innovative sustainable building techniques. Working on projects such as Wineries and usually working on Ancient buildings, he developed a keen interest in the intersection of materiality, context, and design intent.  

In Denmark, Shaun further refined his approach to design while working for AVPD, WERKT and 3XN Copenhagen. There, he gained insight into innovative design strategies and how contemporary methods can integrate with traditional building techniques. These international experiences broadened Shaun’s design perspective, laying the groundwork for his later work in sustainable architecture.



Returning to the UK, Shaun joined Dan Morrish Architecture, where he worked on eco-conscious residential and commercial projects, including the design and construction of timber-framed studios and major extension projects for much larger estates in the area. This role was a key stepping stone, deepening his understanding of sustainable building practices, particularly in rural and woodland settings. This coincided with his time spent at Wilderness Wood, where he was involved in many construction projects of timber structures, from tree to cabin, focussing on green timber techniques and creating buildings that integrated harmoniously with the landscape.

Building on these experiences, Shaun founded Rural Workshop, his own design and build practice. Through Rural Workshop, Shaun has built a reputation for combining sustainable construction methods with creative, practical design solutions. A significant milestone in his career was the recognition of The Wash House, a sustainable, low-impact project that won Best Sustainable Design Project at the Scottish Structural Awards. This project showcased his ability to create functional, eco-friendly buildings using locally sourced and recycled materials.

Throughout his career, Shaun has maintained a passion for 3D representation, modelling, sculpture and hands-on building, believing that these skills are essential to creating innovative and responsive architectural solutions. His expertise spans all stages of a project, from concept to completion, ensuring that each design not only meets the functional needs of the client but also resonates with the human experience.




CV
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSq3B2MXS3ErcwxNo2KWvEck3wPavBAYvRyBneKQqkkNPj6wsER9L2Iyb1KHRi6ow/pub
Portfolio
https://issuu.com/shaunryder/docs/sample_portfolio_pressreadyreduced
https://issuu.com/shaunryder/docs/portfolio_pressready_part2reduced
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