Garden Room

The Garden Room was designed to provide accommodation for the client’s mother who had decided to move from the North of England, to be with her daughter and her family in inner London. 

It was be sited at the end of the garden of the family’s Grade II listed Victorian semi detached town house in Stockwell. The brief was for a space where she could spend time away from the bustle of the main house; a room of her own, with a sitting space, kitchenette, space for a bed and a shower room. 

A magnificent nearby tree sets the context for the small building, which inhabits the original place of a little used raised terrace. 

It designed to fit easily into its garden setting; to be of the garden. The pergola structure forms a threshold between the garden and the new space, mediating the shared and the private realm. Trellised sliding screens, at the back of the pergola, mask the full width glazed sliding doors at the threshold, and provides a level of privacy to the occupant. The large circular opening  in one of the screens gives a wide, open view, a window, which looks out uninterrupted to the garden beyond. 

A bright and light interior is in contrast to the dark charred timber of the exterior. Here, exposed diagonal joists, reminiscent of the branches of trees, take the eye across the ceiling in all directions. Over head circular skylights bring patches of dappled light deep into the plan, whilst giving views up into the vibrant tree canopy above. 

The open plan space is divided only by a full height cupboard which separates the shower room, whilst maintaining visual continuity across the whole ceiling.  The birch ply wall linings give a soft feel and warm colour to the interior, whilst the grain of the Douglas Fir floor brings a strong organic, visual texture to the ground.

This small building is highly sustainable. It is very well insulated, has electric underfloor heating, and is naturally lit and ventilated. The superstructure is of timber studs, timber floor and roof joists, with timber linings and charred timber cladding. The small screw piles can be easily removed to leave the site as found.  

The outcome is an unexpected and joyful space hidden behind a simple but rich exterior. The Garden Room provides a contemplative and comfortable place of repose. The garden, which now appears larger, is enhanced by the new pergola structure, which provides the opportunity for the introduction of climbing plants. 

Photography: © David Grandorge