Experts in timber frame building

Serving Devon and the Southwest

We are based in the Kingsbridge & Salcombe area and undertake timber frame projects across the whole of the South Hams and Devon. The team uses timber framing workshops in Devon where our frames and structures are prefabricated before being delivered to site and installed in short time frames.

25 years of experience & expertise

MU workshop has built up a strong portfolio and has a reputation for projects which are thoughtfully designed and made with care, from high quality natural materials. Our core team has over 25 years of experience in the field and our work has always been architecturally driven, embracing many innovative & progressive techniques alongside craftsmanship and more traditional Oak framing techniques.

Our approach: thoughtfully designed, carefully detailed, beautifully executed

At the heart of MU workshop is our dedication to bringing together building design, engineering, craftsmanship and modern fabrication techniques under one roof. These disciplines, so often segregated within the modern construction sector, are more naturally entwined and at their best when allowed to be interdependent. Our approach is to ensure an integrated design & delivery process where the deep hands-on understanding of materials & techniques can inform the process from the outset, and where the design-intent can be owned and managed through to final completion by an engaged team, heavily invested in the outcome.

The potential of this approach is hard to match with a traditional design & tender route and we find that it enables us to deliver unique spaces which celebrate the beauty & idiosyncratic character of their materials & structure.

Projects always evolve, and having an team who share a vision and are involved in design decisions brings multiple and benefits to a project - from efficiency & project control to the resilience of the build process and the ability of the team to easily develop solutions and avoid unforeseen situations.

Timber building design

Our work is design-led. Establishing a strong vision at the early stages of a project is important and this starts with a client brief, feasibility and concept design which considers and balances the various factors at play from client aspirations & budget considerations to planning requirements & site constraints. Our designs are worked through to detailed working drawings using the latest 3D software.

See our design services

Brief History

MU workshop is owned and run by designer & craftsman Nik Sheppard.

Originally from and engineering background, Nik has been working with wood and creating beautiful spaces for 25 years. he has a deep understanding of materials and construction techniques which he combines with a passion for great design and careful detailing. He oversees projects from end to end and collaborates closely with a network of architects, engineers, craftspeople and workshops to deliver unique bespoke projects of all sizes.

After his move to Devon in 1999 he worked for Carpenter Oak for 18 years, initially as a structural timber framer and latterly as production/ operations manager co-ordinating multiple teams and timber frame projects across the UK.

In 2018 Nik retrained in 3D design and co-founded HUTI where he was MD & principal designer / project manager for 5 years. In 2024 the company rebranded to MU Workshop with a renewed focus on eco-friendly, design-led buildings. His wife Shelley joined shortly after bringing her skills in space creation and interior styling to the team.