A Garden Room in Sutton

The oak garden room replaces an existing glass conservatory. The entrance to the house is reconfigured through the making of a new double-height entrance hall between the garden room and the existing house. This provides access at half-levels to the living areas and to the new playroom and study which are placed below in an existing semi-basement. These rooms are enclosed behind a new folded brick wall, with large horizontal openings onto the garden. The upper floor is a steel-framed box, clad in oak and presenting large opening windows to the south and west. Sliding slatted oak screens provide a protective layer, permitting control of view and ingress of sunlight to the garden room. These screens slide back behind the solid timber panels. The frame supports a cantilevered seat around the room’s perimeter, making the screens habitable. Under the seat, a continuous window at floor level gives views down to the garden and forms a joint on the exterior between the brick and the oak. A similar joint is made between the new roof and the existing by the making of a continuous rooflight that pulls light down to the entrance hall and stairs.

All photos copyright Paul Tierney

A Garden Room in Dalkey

An existing bedroom is converted into a room for enjoying the garden, for reading and relaxing.  The walls are removed; transforming the space into a balcony overlooking the garden. A new timber frame supports the existing slate roof which is retained.  A series of iroko screens are then made, creating a habitable threshold between the house and the garden. The screens project out on the south-east corner, opening the room out to the garden and making a corner seat and a bookshelf. In this way the screens become habitable and adaptable, more like garden furniture than walls.

A continuous window at low level gives views of the garden below. The clients' small grandchildren enjoy the garden when they are playing on the timber floor.  Solid iroko vents are made on the east and west sides and are recessed to provide shelter from the wind and rain. A solid screen in the centre of the south elevation prevents overlooking of the neighbouring house.  Two new roof lights are made in the slate roof, throwing light down the internal wall and making comfortable reading possible throughout the day.