TEACHER’S CLASSROOM – UPMINSTER
Carole and Ken came to us with a design brief that included creating a garden room that they could use as a living area while they carried out extensive work to their main house. They wanted it as a sanctuary from the building work – somewhere they could escape the dust and noise where they could eat and be out of the way of the builders. We discussed their needs in the short term but also what they would like to use the garden room for in the long term. Carole is a teacher so was keen to have a space that is quiet and tranquil for teaching her students but they also wanted a space the whole family could use. They wanted to create two separate areas in their garden, with the garden room at the heart of it.
After discussions with Carole and Ken, they decided to build a 24 sq meter garden room. The clients’ garden is long and deep so we agreed a garden room that was built to the side would capture light from all sides and make the most of the space. We installed a large bifold door and two 2meter tall windows either side. This gives stunning views of their garden from all angles and really optimises the feeling of light and space in the garden room.
They were keen to have a sedum living roof. When the building work is finished, they plan on having a balcony to the rear of their house so the sedum roof will allow them to look out over the garden and see uninterrupted green space. We laid a porcelain path with integrated lights and large patio area with steps leading down to the other garden area. Carole and Ken’s garden is sloped, so we designed the foundations to take into account of it. We installed data cables to enable them to have a smart TV and superfast broadband. Other features include a half a meter overhang at the front to create a porch, an outside tap, which serves their vegetable patch at the end of the garden and a large water butt.
Inside, we installed engineered oak hardwood flooring, air conditioning, spotlights and external up-down lights.
“We are delighted with our garden room, in fact it has transformed our use of the garden. Jon is a pleasure to work with from start to finish and his team are unfailingly polite and courteous and a pleasure to have around. The room goes up quickly and there are no delays as Jon has everything delivered on schedule. The room has broken up a long expanse of lawn into two defined areas. We chose a living sedum roof and incorporated side windows for views of trees and shrubs. We also have a new expanse of patio and path. It has been a haven of tranquility during these troubled times and we have used it as a dining room, reading room, garden base and stargazing HQ.
I would not hesitate to recommend Jon and team.”
